Pakistan's foreign policy (1988-1999) [14]

Question 1

What was a significant diplomatic success between Pakistan and India in 1988?

Answer 1

• In December 1988, Pakistan hosted the 4th SAARC Conference in Islamabad, where Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi attended.
• This platform was used to encourage mutual ties between the two countries. As a result, both nations signed two agreements in 1989 to promote joint peace and cooperation.
• A hotline telephone link was also established between Pakistan and India to be used in times of crisis.

Question 2

How did Pakistan’s foreign policy achieve success with India in 1999?

Answer 2

• In 1999, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Pakistan and met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.
• This visit was a major diplomatic success as it resulted in mutual agreements on peace and cooperation, particularly regarding the use of nuclear weapons.
• The Lahore Declaration was signed, which was an important step toward stabilizing relations between the two countries.

Question 3

How did the Brown Amendment of 1995 benefit Pakistan?

Answer 3

• In 1995, the Brown Amendment was passed by the US Congress, which provided relaxation to the rules of the Pressler Amendment that had been passed in 1985. As a result of this amendment, aid to Pakistan was resumed.
• During Benazir Bhutto’s tenure, this aid amounted to $388 million, which helped improve Pakistan’s economic condition.

Question 4

What was the significance of Hilary Clinton’s visit to Pakistan in 1996?

Answer 4

• In 1996, the First Lady of the United States, Hilary Clinton, visited Pakistan along with her daughter Chelsea Clinton.
• This visit was a testimony to the friendly relations between the two countries and indicated strong diplomatic ties between Pakistan and the USA during this period.

Question 5

How did Pakistan play a role in Afghanistan’s civil war during the 1990s?

Answer 5

• After the Afghan Jihad, a civil war erupted in Afghanistan among seven warring factions. Pakistan played an active role in facilitating negotiations to resolve the conflict.
• By 1996, the civil war ended as Pakistan supported a militant group, the Taliban, which captured 90% of Afghanistan’s land and established its government.
• Two of the warring factions joined the Taliban, making their regime pro-Pakistan, which strengthened Pakistan’s influence in Afghanistan.

Question 6

How did Pakistan’s foreign policy face challenges due to the nuclear arms race with India in 1998? [HOWEVER POINT]

Answer 6

• In 1998, Pakistan and India were engaged in a nuclear arms race.
• Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in response to India’s tests, which led to severe economic sanctions being imposed on Pakistan by Western countries, including the USA.
• These sanctions caused an economic decline and created tensions in Pakistan’s foreign relations.
• The nuclear tests overshadowed earlier diplomatic successes, such as the Lahore Declaration.

Question 7

What was the impact of the Kargil Conflict on Pakistan-India relations in 1999?

Answer 7

• The Kargil Conflict in 1999 severely damaged Pakistan-India relations.
• It took place shortly after the Lahore Declaration, violating the mutual peace agreement between Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee.
• Initially, Pakistan denied any involvement, but later investigations revealed that the Pakistani army had supported Kashmiri guerrillas against India.
• This incident placed deep mistrust between the two countries and led to heightened tensions.

Question 8

How did Pakistan’s nuclear program affect its relations with the USA?

Answer 8

• Pakistan’s nuclear program created tensions with the USA.
• Despite Pakistan’s payment for 28 F-16 fighter jets, their delivery was delayed due to American concerns over Pakistan’s nuclear activities.
• Relations worsened further in 1998 when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests, leading to the imposition of severe economic sanctions.
• This caused an economic decline and widened the gap of mistrust between the two nations.

Question 9

How did the aftermath of the Afghan Jihad impact Pakistan’s internal security and foreign relations?

Answer 9

• The aftermath of the Afghan Jihad posed several challenges to Pakistan’s security and foreign relations.
• Russian-manufactured Kalashnikov guns, which remained in Afghanistan, were smuggled into Pakistan, leading to an increase in crime.
• Drug smuggling from Afghanistan also surged, causing a rise in the number of drug addicts in Pakistan.
• Cross-border infiltration became difficult to control, and kidnappings from Pakistan to Afghanistan became common.
• These issues harmed Pakistan’s mutual relations with Afghanistan and created internal security problems.

Question 10

Overall, how successful was Pakistan’s foreign policy between 1988 and 1999?

Answer 10

• Between 1988 and 1999, Pakistan’s foreign policy saw both successes and failures.
• Diplomatic achievements included improved India ties through the 1988 SAARC Conference and the 1999 Lahore Declaration, as well as temporary U.S. support via the 1995 Brown Amendment and Hillary Clinton’s 1996 visit.
• Pakistan also played a key role in Afghanistan by supporting the Taliban.
• However, setbacks included economic sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests, worsening U.S. relations over Pakistan’s nuclear program, and the Kargil Conflict in 1999, which damaged ties with India. Overall, successes were overshadowed by major challenges.