Foreign relations of Pakistan

Islamabad and Manama enjoy close co-operations between the two in many fields of brotherhood. Joint initiatives between Bahraini and Pakistani governments have started to further bilateral trades that reached to $250 million in 2007.

Iraq and Pakistan have had close, friendly, and cooperative relations since the latter's independence in 1947. Issues such as Iraqi support for Pakistan in its 1971 war with India (which Iraq also has excellent relations with), and Pakistani support for Iraq against Iran in the Iran-Iraq War have forged relations between the two.

There are very close relations between Jordan and Pakistan. Princess Sarvath wife of Prince Hassan is originally a Pakistani. At the international level Pakistan and Jordan have similar views such as the Israel/Palestine issue.

After the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 Pakistani army engineers were involved in a programme of mine clearance in the country.^[1] Kuwait was also the first country to send aid to isolated mountain villages in Kashmir after the quake of 2005,^[2] also offering the largest amount of aid in the aftermath of the quake ($100m).^[3]

Lebanon and Pakistan have good relations. Pakistan has also been a steadfast supporter of Lebanon particularly when it was invaded by Israel. Additionally, Pakistan has extended moral, diplomatic and material support to Lebanon and refuses to recognize Israel officially, as a legitimate country in solidarity with the Palestinian, Lebanese and other Middle Eastern countries.

The relationship between Muscat and Islamabad is warm, because it is the nearest Arab country to Pakistan and the fact that some 30% of Omani's are of Balochi origin from Pakistan's Balochistan province having settled Oman over a hundred years ago. In 1958 Gwadar was part of Oman but was transferred to Pakistan in that year.

Pakistan fully supports the proposal of the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Due to Pakistan's pro-Palestinian stance, bilateral relations between Pakistan and Israel have continuously wavered over the last few years. Pakistan has also declined to recognise the state of Israel until the "liberation of Palestine" will take place.^[4]

Saudi Arabia has also provided extensive religious and educational aid to Pakistan. Saudi Arabia remains a major destination for immigration amongst Pakistanis, the number of whom living in Saudi Arabia stands between 900,000 and 1 million.^[5][6] Saudi Arabia is the largest source of petroleum for Pakistan.^[7] It also supplies extensive financial aid to Pakistan and remittance from Pakistani migrants to Saudi Arabia is also a major source of foreign currency.^[8]

Both countries were on the silk route through which civilizational exchanges took place for centuries, Islamic missionaries that introduced Islam after 711 AD were from Syria. During the Yom Kippur War of 1973 (usually referred to as the Ramadan war in Pakistan) several Pakistani pilots assisted the Syrian air force.^[9] In 2005 Syria and Pakistan agreed on mutual cooperation in the fields of science and technology.^[10]

Pakistan was the first country to accord formal recognition to UAE on its achieving independence. Bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation have progressed steadily ever since. These relations date back to the UAE's formation in 1971, and have since evolved into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields. UAE has been a major donor of economic assistance to Pakistan.

Pakistan recognized independence of Azerbaijan 1991 (the second country after Turkey) and the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1992. Pakistan was one of the first countries to open its Embassy in Baku.

Relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh are influenced by the fact that Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan until 1971, when it achieved independence after the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. As part of Shimla Agreement, India sought to make sure that Pakistan would take steps to recognize Bangladesh. Pakistan established full diplomatic relations with Bangladesh on January 18, 1976 and relations improved in the following decades.

Pakistan is one of the few countreis with which Bhutan maintains diplomatic relationship. Both countries are member of SAARC. Trade and bilateral relationship between the two countries can be largely regarded as being insignificant, and the diplomatic relationship as being largely symbolic.

Pakistan has a High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan and Brunei has a High Commission in Islamabad.

Pakistan has an embassy in Yangon,^[11] and Burma has an embassy in Islamabad.^[12]

Pakistan has an embassy in Phnom Penh although Cambodia does not have an embassy in Pakistan.

Indonesia has its Embassy in Islamabad^[15] and a Consulate in Karachi and Pakistan has its Embassy in Jakarta^[16] and a consulate in Medan.^[17] Bilateral trade between the two countries is $800 million but they hope to increase this to $2 billion.^[18] Both nations are members of the Developing 8 and Next 11 countries.

Tokyo and Islamabad have long enjoyed cordial relations throughout chronology. Japan's economic assistance has played a very important role in the development of Pakistan's economic and social infrastructure. The major projects, which have been funded by the Government of Japan, include the Indus Highway Project, a number of power projects in various provinces of Pakistan, Rural Roads Construction Project and the Children Hospital PIMS lslamabad Project. Presently the Kohat Tunnel Project and the Ghazi Brotha Dam Project are being completed with the help of the Japanese assistance.

Relations between the two countries began when Pakistan recognized Kazakhstan on December 20, 1991. On February 24, 1992, diplomatic and consular relations were established during an official visit by Kazakhstani president Nursultan Nazarbayev to Pakistan.^[19] Kazakhstan is an emerging market for Pakistani goods.^[20]

Pakistan extended diplomatic recognition to the Kyrgyz Republic on December 20, 1991. A Protocol for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan was signed on May 10, 1992.

Pakistan has its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has its High Commission in Islamabad. Pakistan has brotherly relations with Malaysia. Both are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Commonwealth of Nations. There is a trade and cultural pact between the two countries, under which the import and export of various goods is done on fairly large scale. Both the countries enjoy close relations and links of mutual friendship and the cooperation has further strengthened.

The Maldives and Pakistan are culturally very close in sharing a Sunni majority. Islamabad supports the Maldivian position in the territorial dispute over the southern Indian colony of Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep, whose population is Muslim by faith.

Despite an extensive 1982 trade agreement, the volume of bilateral trade remains comparatively small at USD 4.8 million.^[23] Pakistan's total exports to Nepal are worth USD 1.631 million while Nepal's exports to Pakistan tally USD 3.166 million.^[23] Both countries have recently stepped up efforts to promote bilateral trade, especially in textiles, oilseeds, extraction of oil and tourism; Pakistan also offered a USD 5 million line of credit to Nepal.^[23][24][25] Nepal and Pakistan are signatories to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) and members of the South Asian Economic Union.

Sri Lanka's ties with Pakistan are warming gradually. Pakistan has been recently supplying military equipment to the Sri Lankan armed forces. Relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka are generally warm. In the past, Pakistan has been supplying military equipment to the Sri Lankan military in the prevailing civil war against the Tamil Tigers. There is a Pakistani embassy located in Sri Lanka and a Sri Lankan embassy situated in Pakistan.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, established diplomatic relationship with the Republic of Tajikistan in 1992, but cooperation between these two countries started from 1991. Geographically Tajikistan is the nearest Central Asian State to Pakistan - fourteen kilometeres between two countries. Many Tajiks have immigrated to Pakistan, notably in the city of Ishkoman where they have integrated into the local population.

Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Turkmenistan as an independent country in December 1991. Exchange of high-level visits during the last 10 years give credence to the fact that Pakistan and Turkmenistan have laid foundation of mutually beneficial relations, friendship and understanding. The two countries have signed 21 Agreements and Memoranda of understanding in the fields of oil and gas, transport, energy, trade, science and culture.

Relations between the two states were established when the republic of Uzbekistan became independent following the collapse of the USSR, the relations between the two countries were initially strained by the situation in Afghanistan which both countries border as they supported different factions Afghan factions.^[28]

However relations improved after the fall of the Taliban, both countries seeking to improve relations for the sake of trade, Pakistan wishing to gain access to Central Asian markets and landlocked Uzbekistan to access ports on the Indian Ocean.

There exists friendly foreign relations between Algeria and Pakistan. Pakistan supported the cause of Algeria's independence from France.

Pakistan and Egypt (Misr), both being Muslim countries, share cordial relations. Both are also members of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), as well as "the next eleven" and "D8". After the foundation of Pakistan, it has established diplomatic and trade relations with Egypt.

The relations between the two nations have always been deep and abiding, ever since the start. The two countries also share common religious and cultural links, especially the fact that both the countries are Islamic states.

Pakistan has an embassy in Rabat while Morocco also has its embassy in Islamabad. Both the countries have co-operated significantly since the past and continue to widely expand their relations, in the past Pakistan has said that it does not recognise Western Sahara and that its status is disputed and remains to be decided by UN Resolutions, but at the same time it gave the Moroccan point of view that it is an internal matter.

Due to both states sharing the same religion, being former British colonies, and refusing to recognize Israel as a legitimate nation, Pakistan and Sudan have shared generally close and warm relations for decades. Sudan declared its support for Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani Wars, and also due to the fact that Pakistan stood by the Sudanese people over its integrity and soveriengty, especially on its boundary disputes with both Egypt and Kenya.

Pakistan supported Tunisia on the issue of its complete control on Bizerte and declared it an integral part of Tunisia. Former Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba had always supported Pakistan's point of view.

Trade between the 2 nations in 2001/02 accounted for $20 million^[31] Mehru Khan of Pakistan and Botswana was crowned Miss NRI Global 2005 winner at an international pageant.^[32][33]

Pakistan embassy in Zimbawe is also accredited to Congo. Pakistan maintains an Honourary Consulate in Kinsasha.^[34] Pakistan also has up to 3500 troops in Congo under United Nations Operation in Congo^[35]

Relations between Pakistan and Kenya were first historically established in the 60's, when Pakistan expressed its support for Kenya in getting independence from British rule. Ever since from that time, relations between the two nations have been warm, with both countries having had discussed previously in the Pakistan-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission session which was hosted in Nairobi in 2004, about boosting bilateral trade and economic relations.^[37]

Pakistan and Lesotho maintain honorary consulate in each other's country.^[38]

Pakistan maintains an honorary consulate in Madagascar.^[39]

Pakistan has an embassy at Port Louis and Mauritius has an embassy at Islamabad. The two countries are progressing the finalisation of a Free Trade Agreement.^[41][42]

Pakistan has an embassy in Niamey,^[45] although Niger does not maintain a permanent embassy in Islamabad.^[46]

Pakistan has a High Commission in Abuja and Nigeria has an embassy in Islamabad, as well as a Consulate-General in Karachi. The two states have maintained a close relationship, a relationship which is described by the Nigerian Defence Minister as "friendly" and like a "family tie"^[47]

Pakistan maintains a high commission in Cape Town, and South Africa maintains a high commission in Islamabad.^[49][50] South Africa is also home to more than 2,500 Pakistanis.

Pakistan maintains an honorary consulate in Kampala. Pakistan also provide scholarships to Ugandan students under its technical assistance programme.^[52]

Pakistan is represented in Zimbabwe by embassy in Harare. The Pakistani government has pledged to always "stand by Zimbabwe in its challenging times and continue to render assistance in every way possible in an effort to cement the already cordial relations between the two countries."^[54] The friendship between Pakistan and Zimbabwe dates back to the times of the war of liberation of the country, during which Pakistan was known to have provided an immense amount of extended moral and material support to many Zimbabwean freedom fighters, by providing armed machinery and helping rebuild the Gweru airbase which was destroyed during the liberation struggle.^[54][55]

Relations between the two countries are generally friendly. The diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Austria were established in 1956 when Pakistan formally recognized Austria.^[59]

Belarus Minsk Tractor Works has played a key role in supplying tractor to Pakistan^[60] and establiishing the tractor assembly plant in Pakistan.^[61] Belarus and Pakistan have also signed agreements on trade-economic cooperation and investments protection.^[62] Pakistan ambassador to Russia is accredited as a non-residential ambassador to Belarus.

Both nations share close relations on the grounds of religion and politics. Pakistan was a staunch supporter of Bosnia during the civil war. Pakistan sent in UN Peacekeeping forces to the former Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav wars. Pakistan and Bosnia have a free trade agreement.

Pakistan maintains an Honorary Consulate in Zagreb.^[63] In May 2007, Pakistan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar made an official visit to Belarus and meet with high ranking government officials of Belarus.^[64]

Pakistan and France have high levels of diplomatic meetings and are in good terms with one another. However, these good relations haven't been around very long. Trade between Pakistan and France is increasing and France has donated large funds to help Pakistan with its economic problems.

Germany and Pakistan enjoy closely cordial relations. Germany has taken large measures to aid the South Asian country in its economic and governmental hardship. Commercial trade between Berlin and Islamabad has also been very essential in recent years seeing as Germany is Pakistan's fourth largest trade partner. Also, Germany is home to 35,081 Pakistani immigrants. Overall, the two nations have almost always had a friendly bond.

In modern times, Pakistan's first embassy in Athens was opened in 1975. Greece established an embassy in Islamabad in 1987. There are around 32,500 Pakistani people living and working in Greece.

Since 1970, Hungary has an embassy in Islamabad and an honorary consulate in Karachi.^[67] Pakistan has an embassy in Budapest^[68]

Pakistan maintain cordinal diplomatic relations with Iceland.^[69]

Ireland is represented in Pakistan through its embassy in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and an honorary consualte in Karachi. Pakistan has an embassy in Dublin. Pakistanis continue to support the idea of unification of Northern Ireland to the rest of Éire which remained part of the United Kingdom after the Republic of Ireland left the Commonwealth of Nations.

Norway and Pakistan have strengthen ties. Pakistanis form the largest immigrant community in Norway.^[80] Norway has embassy in Islamabad and an honorary consulate in Lahore, whereas Pakistan has an embassy in Oslo.

Pakistan has an embassy in Bucharest and an honorary consulate in Iaşi.^[81] Romania has an embassy in Islamabad and an honorary consulate in Lahore.^[82]

Relations between these two countries have been strained in the past, because of Pakistan's close ties to America and its support for the Afghan rebels during the invasion by the USSR.

Pakistan established diplomatic relations with San Marino on 12 April 2006. Pakistan ambassador to Italy is accredited as a non-residential ambassador to San Marino.^[84]

Since July 2001, Pakistan has an embassy in Belgrade.^[85] Serbia has now closed its embassy in Pakistan after 2001 due to financial or reciprocal reasons because Pakistan's role in the desire for Sanjak's merger with their brethren of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is now represented in Pakistan through its embassy in Beijing (China).^[86] However there is a bone of contention between the two, because of the latter's close relations with, India.^[87]

Pakistan ambassador to Austria is accredited be the non-residential ambassador to Slovakia. Relations between Pakistan and the Slovak Republic are cordial and friendly. The two countries have agreements on cultural cooperation and visa abolition (for diplomatic/official passport holders). Some well known Slovak companies like Matador and Mediprogress are active in Pakistan through their agents.^[88]

Pakistani–Turkish relations have been traditionally strong. Both nations maintain extensive cultural, commercial, strategic and military cooperation. Both Turkey and Pakistan are Muslim-majority states and share extensive cultural and geopolitical links.

Pakistan recognized Ukraine's independence in 1991. Pakistan has an embassy in Kiev.^[89] Ukraine has an embassy in Islamabad.^[90] Ukraine and Pakistan have been cooperating with each other in educational sector as well as cultural exchanges. Pakistan and Ukraine are also heavily cooperating with each other in aerospace engineering, aerospace technologies, bio-medical sciences and science and technology.

Pakistan has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations since independence in 1947. It was not a member of the British Commonwealth from 1972 until 1989, because of the Commonwealth's recognition of Bangladesh. It was readmitted to full membership of the Commonwealth in October 1989. It was suspended with the overthrow of the democratically elected government in 1999. Its full membership has been reinstated with the backing of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for Pakistan's support in the War on Terrorism. Pakistan maintains diplomatic relations with all Commonwealth countries even though it does not have its own High Commission in each capital.

A memorandum of Understanding with the National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Argentina and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences was signed. In pursuit of its policy of establishing scientific cooperation with Argentina, the Pakistan has been actively engaged in signing Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with various organizations.

The relation between Brazil and Pakistan is friendly and there is a lot of cooperation between in the two countries in military field.

Pakistan is represented through its embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Canada is represented through its embassy in Islamabad and consulate in Karachi. The value of the bilateral trade relationship between Pakistan and Canada was close to C$694 million in 2007.^[91] There is also extensive people to people links between Canada and Pakistan with an estimated 300,000 Pakistanis living in Canada.^[92]

The relations between the two countries strengthened after Cuba provided humanitarian assistance to the victims of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Both the nations continue to strengthen the bilateral relations especially in the fields of higher education, agriculture, industry and science and technology and have also held talks for military cooperation.

Pakistan ambassador to USA is accredited as non-residential Pakistan's High Commissioner to Jamaica.^[95]

Pakistan maintains an embassy in Mexico City,^[96] and Mexico is accredited to Pakistan through its embassy in Tehran.^[97] Both countries are also working on Mechanism of Bilateral Consultations on Issues of Mutual Interest for Mexico and Pakistan.^[98]

Relations were established on 23 October 1967.^[99] Pakistan maintains an embassy in Brazil which is accredited to Paraguay and a consulate in Asuncion.^[100] Paraguay maintains an embassy in Egypt accredited to Pakistan.^[101] Government ministers met in 2005 to explore potential trade opportunities.^[102] Bilateral trade in 2010 totaled US $2.4 million per year and growing yearly.^[103] Pakistan exports carpets, surgical instruments to Paraguay, where as Paraguay exports pharmaceuticals ^[104]

Pakistan and Suriname both maintain friendly and cooperative relations.^[105] Many of Suriname Hindoestanen Muslim speak Urdu, and maintain cultural link in Pakistan. Surinamese Islamic Association maintains its umberalla headquarters in Islamabad, Pakistan^[106]

Pakistan maintain a consulate general in North Trinidad.^[107] Trinidad is also home to a sizeable number of South Asian Muslim who draw links with Pakistan. During the 2010 Pakistan flooding, Trinidad Congress of the People party donated US$33,000 worth of aid to Pakistan flood victims.^[108]

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited Australia in 2005^[109] and the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, also having extended a visit to Pakistan in 2005 as well, following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake which had immensely targeted the northern areas of Pakistan. He also announced 500 new scholarships for students in Pakistan to study in Australia.^[110]

While Pakistan and Fiji maintain formal diplomatic relationship, they do not have diplomatic mission in each other's country. Pakistan designates her high commissioner to Australia as a non-residential high commissioner to Fiji.^[111] Many of Fiji's large Indian Muslim population maintain family links with Pakistan^[112]

Pakistan has a High Commission located in Wellington whilst New Zealand has a Consulate-General in Karachi. New Zealand was party to the Commonwealth Heads of Government decision to readmit Pakistan to the Councils of the Commonwealth after the restoration of civilian rule in May 2008.

While Pakistan and Tonga maintain diplomatic relationship, they do not have diplomatic mission in each other's country. Pakistan export to Tonga in 2007 was T$11,655.^[113] Pakistan also has bilateral visa-abolition scheme with Tonga, for all passport types of both the countries.^[114]

Pakistan has signed an MoU with the Arab League, and has shown interest to be granted oberver status.^[115] Pakistan has also lobbied for greater representation of the Arab League in the United Nation Security Council.^[116]