Q.2. Examine critically the foreign policy of Pakistan with special reference to United States.
Pakistan’s Relation with the United States
Pakistan’s relationship with the West, particularly the United States, was of major importance. Geographically the USA is not a neighbour of Pakistan, but interests of politician, Bureaucracy and Generals have brought both the countries close together. The United States and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1947.
Liaquat Ali Khan’s Visit 1950
In 1949, the US Secretary of State extended invitation to the Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan for a visit to the United States. The Prime Minister visited USA at the end of 1950. During his visit he tried to identify Pakistan as more near to the West and Islam more near to Christianity than to Communism and begged for economic and military aid.
SEATO and CENTO 1954-55
Pakistan’s relations with the United States developed against the backdrop of the Cold War. Pakistan’s strategic geographic position made it a valuable partner in Western alliance systems to contain the spread of communism. In 1954 Pakistan signed a Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States and subsequently became a member of SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization). The U.S. agreement to provide economic and military assistance to Pakistan and the latter’s partnership in the Baghdad Pact CENTO and SEATO strengthened relations between the two nations.
Pakistan as Washington’s Closest Ally
Pakistan also used as a base for United States military reconnaissance flights over Soviet territory. During the cold War years, Pakistan was considered one of Washington’s closest allies in Asia. Pakistan, in return, received large amounts of economic and military assistance.
1965 and 1971 Wars and United States
The United States suspended military assistance to both the countries involved in the conflict of 1965. However, the U.S. suspension of military assistance during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan was generated a widespread feeling in Pakistan that the United States was not a reliable ally. The United States embargo on arms shipments to Pakistan remained in place during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and was not lifted until 1975. Gradually, relations improved and arms sales were renewed in 1975. United States-Pakistani relations preceding the 1971 was were characterized by poor communication and much confusion.
Withdraw from SEATO and CENTO
Following the lost of East Wing, Pakistan withdrew from SEATO. Pakistan’s military links with the West continued to decline throughout Bhutto’s tenure in power and into the first years of the Zia regime. CENTO was disbanded following the fall of the Shah of Iran in March 1979, and Pakistan then joined the Nonaligned Movement. Zia also continued Bhutto’s policy of developing Pakistan’s nuclear capability.
Cease of Economic Assistance
Developing Pakistan’s nuclear capability policy had originated as a defensive measure in reaction to India’s explosion of a nuclear device in 1974. In April 1979, President Jimmy Carter cut off economic assistance to Pakistan, except for food assistance, as required under the Symington Amendment to the Foreign Assistance act of 1961. This amendment called for ceasing economic assistance to those countries that had imported uranium-enrichment technology.
Relations between the United States and Pakistan were further strained in November 1979 when protesters sacked the United States embassy i Islamabad, resulting in the death of four persons. The violence had been sparked by a false report that the United States was involved in a fire at the Grand Masjid in Macca.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and American’s Changed Policy
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 revived the close relationship between Pakistan and the United States. Initially, however the President Carter lifted the ban on aid to Pakistan and in January 1980, offered a package of US$ 400 million economic and military aid to Pakistan which was rejected by General Zia-ul-Haq, who termed it “peanuts”. Under President Ronald Reagan, the United States agreed in 1981 to provide US$ 3.2 billion to Pakistan aimed at helping Pakistan deal with the heightened threat to security in the region and its economic development needs. However, although the Symington Amendment was waived, the amount was subject to the annual appropriation process. A second economic and military assistance program was announced in April 1986, this time for over US$ 4.0 billion, with 57 percent for economic assistance. With U.S, assistance in the largest covert operation in history – Pakistan armed and supplied anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan, eventually defeating the Soviets, who withdrew in 1988.
Pressler Amendment 1985
On October 01, 1990 however, the United States suspended all military assistance and new economic aid to Pakistan under the Pressler Amendment, which required that the President certify annually that Pakistan “does not possess a nuclear explosive device”. For several years, the United States president, with Pakistan’s assurances that its nuclear program was for peaceful uses, was able to make this certification. However, with the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the Cold War, the United States took a harder position on the nuclear weapons issue and President George Bush refused to make the certification required under the Pressler Amendment, and assistance to Pakistan was subsequently terminated. Further, the supply of F-16 jet fighters was also stopped for which Pakistan had already paid $650 million to the US.
Sanctions on alleged transfer of M-11 missiles
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.
September 11 attacks and Pakistan-US relationship
History changed its course on September 11, 2001 when deadly terrorists attacks destroyed World Trade Centre at New York and severally damaged the Pentagon in Washington. More than 5,000 people were killed in this attack. The 9/11 incidence gave a new direction to the global politics.
The Pakistan-US relationship changed significantly when Pakistan moved decisively to ally itself with the United States in its war against Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. It gave the U.S. a number of military airports and bases for its attack on Afghanistan. It has arrested over five hundred Al-Qaeda members and handed them over to the United States. In response the United States stepped up its economic assistance to Pakistan providing debt relief.
President Musharraf’s Visit to US 2003
President Musharraf visited United States in June 2003 and both Presidents negotiated on 24th June 2003 at Camp David. Afterwards President Bush announced to provide Pakistan $3 billion economic and military aid and plainly refused about the delivery of F-16s.
The Bush Administration expressed its desire that “an enhanced and enduring relationship” with Pakistan would continue to thrive in the years ahead. Continuing interest of President Bush and personal diplomacy of Secretary Powell to defuse border tension between Pakistan and India also reflected the US desire for enhanced constructive engagement in the region.
Pakistan as major Non-NATO ally
In March, 2004 the United States designated Pakistan as a “major Non-NATO ally”. This move will significantly enhance military cooperation between the two countries and enable Pakistan to purchase modern military equipment, satellite technology, depleted uranium ammunition and enhance cooperation in defense sector, research and development with US.
Pakistan’s relationship with the West, particularly the United States, was of major importance. Geographically the USA is not a neighbour of Pakistan, but interests of politician, Bureaucracy and Generals have brought both the countries close together. The United States and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1947.
Liaquat Ali Khan’s Visit 1950
In 1949, the US Secretary of State extended invitation to the Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan for a visit to the United States. The Prime Minister visited USA at the end of 1950. During his visit he tried to identify Pakistan as more near to the West and Islam more near to Christianity than to Communism and begged for economic and military aid.
SEATO and CENTO 1954-55
Pakistan’s relations with the United States developed against the backdrop of the Cold War. Pakistan’s strategic geographic position made it a valuable partner in Western alliance systems to contain the spread of communism. In 1954 Pakistan signed a Mutual Defence Agreement with the United States and subsequently became a member of SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization). The U.S. agreement to provide economic and military assistance to Pakistan and the latter’s partnership in the Baghdad Pact CENTO and SEATO strengthened relations between the two nations.
Pakistan as Washington’s Closest Ally
Pakistan also used as a base for United States military reconnaissance flights over Soviet territory. During the cold War years, Pakistan was considered one of Washington’s closest allies in Asia. Pakistan, in return, received large amounts of economic and military assistance.
1965 and 1971 Wars and United States
The United States suspended military assistance to both the countries involved in the conflict of 1965. However, the U.S. suspension of military assistance during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan was generated a widespread feeling in Pakistan that the United States was not a reliable ally. The United States embargo on arms shipments to Pakistan remained in place during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and was not lifted until 1975. Gradually, relations improved and arms sales were renewed in 1975. United States-Pakistani relations preceding the 1971 was were characterized by poor communication and much confusion.
Withdraw from SEATO and CENTO
Following the lost of East Wing, Pakistan withdrew from SEATO. Pakistan’s military links with the West continued to decline throughout Bhutto’s tenure in power and into the first years of the Zia regime. CENTO was disbanded following the fall of the Shah of Iran in March 1979, and Pakistan then joined the Nonaligned Movement. Zia also continued Bhutto’s policy of developing Pakistan’s nuclear capability.
Cease of Economic Assistance
Developing Pakistan’s nuclear capability policy had originated as a defensive measure in reaction to India’s explosion of a nuclear device in 1974. In April 1979, President Jimmy Carter cut off economic assistance to Pakistan, except for food assistance, as required under the Symington Amendment to the Foreign Assistance act of 1961. This amendment called for ceasing economic assistance to those countries that had imported uranium-enrichment technology.
Relations between the United States and Pakistan were further strained in November 1979 when protesters sacked the United States embassy i Islamabad, resulting in the death of four persons. The violence had been sparked by a false report that the United States was involved in a fire at the Grand Masjid in Macca.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and American’s Changed Policy
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 revived the close relationship between Pakistan and the United States. Initially, however the President Carter lifted the ban on aid to Pakistan and in January 1980, offered a package of US$ 400 million economic and military aid to Pakistan which was rejected by General Zia-ul-Haq, who termed it “peanuts”. Under President Ronald Reagan, the United States agreed in 1981 to provide US$ 3.2 billion to Pakistan aimed at helping Pakistan deal with the heightened threat to security in the region and its economic development needs. However, although the Symington Amendment was waived, the amount was subject to the annual appropriation process. A second economic and military assistance program was announced in April 1986, this time for over US$ 4.0 billion, with 57 percent for economic assistance. With U.S, assistance in the largest covert operation in history – Pakistan armed and supplied anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan, eventually defeating the Soviets, who withdrew in 1988.
Pressler Amendment 1985
On October 01, 1990 however, the United States suspended all military assistance and new economic aid to Pakistan under the Pressler Amendment, which required that the President certify annually that Pakistan “does not possess a nuclear explosive device”. For several years, the United States president, with Pakistan’s assurances that its nuclear program was for peaceful uses, was able to make this certification. However, with the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the Cold War, the United States took a harder position on the nuclear weapons issue and President George Bush refused to make the certification required under the Pressler Amendment, and assistance to Pakistan was subsequently terminated. Further, the supply of F-16 jet fighters was also stopped for which Pakistan had already paid $650 million to the US.
Sanctions on alleged transfer of M-11 missiles
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.
September 11 attacks and Pakistan-US relationship
History changed its course on September 11, 2001 when deadly terrorists attacks destroyed World Trade Centre at New York and severally damaged the Pentagon in Washington. More than 5,000 people were killed in this attack. The 9/11 incidence gave a new direction to the global politics.
The Pakistan-US relationship changed significantly when Pakistan moved decisively to ally itself with the United States in its war against Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. It gave the U.S. a number of military airports and bases for its attack on Afghanistan. It has arrested over five hundred Al-Qaeda members and handed them over to the United States. In response the United States stepped up its economic assistance to Pakistan providing debt relief.
President Musharraf’s Visit to US 2003
President Musharraf visited United States in June 2003 and both Presidents negotiated on 24th June 2003 at Camp David. Afterwards President Bush announced to provide Pakistan $3 billion economic and military aid and plainly refused about the delivery of F-16s.
The Bush Administration expressed its desire that “an enhanced and enduring relationship” with Pakistan would continue to thrive in the years ahead. Continuing interest of President Bush and personal diplomacy of Secretary Powell to defuse border tension between Pakistan and India also reflected the US desire for enhanced constructive engagement in the region.
Pakistan as major Non-NATO ally
In March, 2004 the United States designated Pakistan as a “major Non-NATO ally”. This move will significantly enhance military cooperation between the two countries and enable Pakistan to purchase modern military equipment, satellite technology, depleted uranium ammunition and enhance cooperation in defense sector, research and development with US.
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