PAKISTAN’S FOREIGN RELATIONS AFTER 1988(NOTESS) Flashcards
(NOTES)
Sanctions on alleged transfer of M-11 missiles (USA)
Pakistan’s retention of the nuclear option became a defining issue in its
relations with the United States. USA another action in regard of the
nuclear issue occurred in September 1993 when the US imposed
sanctions against China and Pakistan on alleged transfer of M-11
missiles to Pakistan labeling it a violation of the MTCR (Missile
Technology Control Regime).
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Visit to US 1995
In the background of the number of unresolved issues including nuclear
non-proliferation, delivery of F-16s, alleged supply of M-11 missiles by
China, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto paid an official visit to
Washington in April 1995. The joint statement failed to mention any
solution to these issues. Pakistan and US signed in Washington
Memoranda of Unterstanding providing for $6 million of investment by
American companies in Pakistan.
Brown Amendment 1995
According to US officials the Pressler Amendment was a hurdle in the
normalization of Pak-US relations. As a result, on 21st September 1995,
the US Senate under Clinton Administration passed the Brown
Amendment to lessen its negative impact. The amendment opened the
way for 28 undelivered F-16s to be sold to a third country and the
money refunded to Pakistan, release of $368 million worth defense
equipment, restoration of corporation in such areas as narcotics
control, international terrorism, peace keeping and the availability of
US insurance cover for investment made in Pakistan.
Nuclear Weapon Tests 1998
India’s decision to conduct nuclear tests in May 1998 and Pakistan’s
matching response set back U.S. relations in the region. President
Clinton’s visit to Pakistan scheduled for the first quarter of 1998 was
postponed and under the Glenn Amendment, sanctions restricted the
provisions of credits, military sales, economic assistance and loans to
the government. An intensive dialogue on nuclear nonproliferation and
security issues was initiated with discussion focusing on CTBT
(Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) signature and ratification. Pakistan
declared that it would sign the treaty only when India did so first.
Nawaz Sharif’s Meeting with President Clinton 1998
The relations improved a little after the former Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif’s meeting with President Clinton in Washington in December
1998. As a consequence, the economic sanctions imposed by the US
after the Nuclear Test were eased. A notable achievement was a
resolution of the F-16s issue and accordingly US released $436.7 million
to Pakistan as a claim in connection with the F-16 aircrafts. But the
October 1999 overthrow of the democratically elected Sharif
government triggered an additional layer of sanctions with include
restrictions on foreign military financing and economic assistance. U.S.
Government assistance to Pakistan was limited mainly to refugee and
counter-narcotics assistance.
Kashmir Insurgency 1990 (India)
Bilateral tensions increased in early 1990, when Kashmiri militants
began a campaign of violence against Indian Government authority in
Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequent high-level bilateral meetings relieved
the tensions between India and Pakistan, but relations worsened again
after the destruction of the Ayodhya Masjid by Hindu extremists in
December 1992 and terrorists’ bombings in Bombay in March 1993.
Talks between the Foreign Secretaries of both countries in January
1994 resulted in deadlock.
Diplomatic Push 1996-97
In the last several years, the Indo-Pakistani relationship has veered
sharply between rapprochement and conflict. After taking office in
February 1997, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif moved to resume official
dialogue with India. A number of meetings at the foreign secretary and
Prime Ministerial level took place with positive atmospherics but little
concrete progress. In a speech at the UN, Pakistani Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif offered to open talks on a non-aggression pact with India,
proposing that both nations strike a deal to restrain their nuclear and
missile capabilities.
Nuclear Rivalry 1998
The arms race between the rivals escalated dramatically in the 1990s.
In May 1998, India conducted underground nuclear tests in the western
desert state of Rajasthan near the border with Pakistan. In response,
Pakistan conducted six tests in Balochistan. In the same year, Pakistan
test its longest range missile, the 1,500 km (932 mile) Ghauri missile,
named after the 12th Century Muslim warrior who conquered part of
India. Both sides were heavily criticized by the international community
for the tests as fears of a nuclear confrontation grew.
The United States ordered sanctions against both countries, freezing
more than $20bn of aid, loans and trade. Japan ordered a block on
about $1bn of aid loans. Several European countries followed suit, and
the G-8 governments imposed a ban on non-humanitarian loans to
India and Pakistan. The UN Security Council condemned India and
Pakistan for carrying out nuclear tests and urged the two nations to
stop all nuclear weapons programs.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee Visit to Pakistan 1999
The relationship improved markedly when Indian Prime Minister
Vajpayee traveled to Lahore for a summit with Sharif in February 1999.
There was considerable hope that the meeting could lead to a
breakthrough. They signed the Lahore accord pledging again to
“intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of
Jammu and Kashmir.”
Kargil Conflict 1999
Unfortunately, in May 1999 India launched air strikes against Pakistani
backed forces that had infiltrated into the mountains in Indian-
administrated Kashmir, north of Kargil. Pakistan responded by
occupying positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control in the
remote, mountainous area of Kashmir near Kargil threatening the
ability of India to supply its forces on Siachen Glacier. By early summer,
serious fighting flared in the Kargil sector. The infiltrators withdrew
following a meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and President Bill
Clinton in July. Relations between India and Pakistan have since been
particularly strained, especially since the October 12, 1999 coup in
Islamabad.
China
In the 1990s, China designed and supplied the heavy water
Khushab reactor, which plays a key role in Pakistan’s production
of plutonium. A subsidiary of the China National Nuclear
Corporation also contributed in Pakistan’s efforts to expand its
uranium enrichment capabilities by providing 5,000 custom made
ring magnets, which are a key component of the bearings that
facilitate the high-speed rotation of centrifuges.
China also provided technical and material support in the
completion of the Chasma Nuclear Power Reactor and plutonium
reprocessing facility, which was built in the mid-1990s.
China has also launched Pakistan’s first satellite to orbit in 1990
because Pakistan had no Spaceport However, Pakistan does have
a space program. Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere
Research Commission (SUPARCO) is Pakistan’s national space
agency and was established in 1961.
A 300-megawatt nuclear power plant, built with Chinese help in
Punjab province, is c China is helping to build a second 300-
megawatt nuclear plant due to be finished by 2010.
Afghanistan
The civil war between 1988-1995 was a tough period for
Afghanistan and Pakistan
supported them in all aspects.
The government of Pakistan accepted the Taliban regime in
Afghanistan and the first embassy was opened in Islamabad.
The foreign ministers of both the countries paid bi- lateral visits
and trade was improved.
The Taliban government continued to support Pakistan on the
Kashmir issue for the first time in the history.
Russia
In 1991, many high-level trips were exchanged between the two
countries.
* In 1994, the Russian foreign minister visited Pakistan.
* Russia backed off from giving unconditional support to India.
* In 1998, Pakistan’s Prime Minister accepted Russia’s invitation and
visited Moscow.
* In 2003, Pervez Musharraf visited Russia.
* In 2007 Mikhail Fardkov visited Pakistan.
* In 2018, the bilateral trade between the two countries reaches 800
million dollars.
Pakistan’s Relation with the UN (United Nations)
Background:
The United Nations Organization (UNO) was established after World
War II.
* In September 1947, Pakistan joined the UNO.
* One of the main reasons for this decision was that India was already a
member of the UNO even before the partition.
* Secondly, it also helped Pakistan to be recognized as an independent
state.
* It also helped Pakistan to represent its case against the accession of
princely states, Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagadh.
* It also helped the country in the Canal Water Dispute as with the
support of the UNO, Pakistan was able to sign the Indus Water Treaty.
* Pakistan joined the organization to play its role against colonization,
racial discrimination, regional and territorial accession.
UNO
The UNO has following major organs:
General Assembly:
- The General Assembly is the place of the meeting for all the members
of the UN. - 5 members can represent a country.
- The meeting held once or twice a year, but emergency meetings can
be held anytime. - It is responsible for approving the budget, granting membership to
new entrants and supervising all departments.
Security Council:
* Its primary responsibility is to protect peace in the world.
* It has 15 members in total, but 5 members have the veto power
namely, China, Russia, the USA, UK, and France.
* The other 10 members are elected to serve 2 years terms.
* The council has the power to order a ceasefire between two countries
at war.
* It has also the power to impose an economic boycott if a country
refuses to accept the UN decision.
Economic and Social Council:
* It oversees the member countries' social, educational, cultural,
economic and health affairs.
* It comprises of 54 members that are elected to serve 3 years period.
- The council held its meeting twice a year and manages the functions
of WHO, ILO, and UNESCO.
Secretariat:
* It is the headquarter of UNO.
* Over 14000 workers serve there.
* The Secretary-General is the Chief Administrative Officer and elected
to serve 5 years period by the General Assembly.
* The Secretary-General is not allowed to take assistance or get
influenced by any country.
* It is responsible for investigating disputes, mediate between two
countries and respond to the international crisis.
International Court of Justice:
* It is responsible for resolving legal disputes between the two
countries peacefully.
* It comprises of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly to serve 9
years term.
* All disputes are resolved by majority votes.
