Pakistan |
Libya |
Libya-Pakistan relations refers to the bilateral and diplomatic relations between Libya and Pakistan. The relationship has been friendly throughout its history. Both countries share religious and cultural links, particularly their Islamic heritage.
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The early 1970's were the first time the Pakistani populace began to notice Muammar al-Gaddafi. Gaddafi gave a speech at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference meeting, where he declared support for Pakistan to pursue development of nuclear weapons, an issue which had been made a hot-topic by the United States.[1] When he came to Pakistan to attend the second Islamic Summit Conference in 1974, he stated, "Pakistan is the fort of Islam."
Because of Gaddafi's support for Pakistan's nuclear detterence program, he became a popular figure within the country. Gaddafi cricket stadium in Lahore, the largest in the country, was named after him. However, after success of Operation Fair Play — code-name for the coup d'etat conducted at midnight on July 4, 1977 by the Pakistan Army led by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq against the democratic civilian government of then-Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ties periodically strained. In 1978, Pakistan's ISI immediately cut its ties with Libya.
After the removal of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ties with Pakistan severed. General Zia hated and distrusted Colonel Gaddafi, therefore he immediately cut all the military aid to Libya.[2] Libya hosted and trained militants and dissidents of Al-Zulfiqar which was established by Bhutto's children.[3] However the plan was thwarted by the ISI when it had discovered and placed a mole in the Libyan embassy.[3]
The ties were restored by Benazir Bhutto when she became country's first female Prime minister after she secured the mandate during the 1988 parliamentary elections.[4] The ties continued until Benazir Bhutto was removed from power after amid corruption charges.[4] The new coming Prime minister Navaz Sharif was sworned as the Prime minister after the parliamentary elections, 1990, and the new Prime minister soon paid a state visit to Libya.[4] In 1991, Sharif visit and met with Gaddafi.[4] Gaddafi traditionally opposed Sharif's Western conservatism, and during the meeting, Gaddafi demanded Sharif to sell him a nuclear bomb as Gadaffi suspected that Pakistan had developed years later.[4] Sharif refused Gaddafi's demand and urged him to continue the economical relations with Pakistan.[4] Gaddafi insulted the Prime minister and labeled him as "Corrupt politician", which dismayed and insulted the Prime minister.[4] The Prime minister's delegation members and journalists were initially shocked and troubled with Gaddafi's attitude.[4] Therefore, Sharif cancelled the talks and immediately returning to Pakistan and soon expelled Libyan Ambassador.[4]
In 2001, Pakistan via ISI, passed intelligence about the Gulf States and the nuclear ambitions of Iran and Libya, whose programs Pakistani scientists had helped to build.[5] Pakistan began providing details of Libyan nuclear program to Israel's Mossad.[5] These evidence were made public by the United States but concealed the names of sources.[5]
Pakistan received economic assistance from Libya in the 1970s, aiding in the country's recovery after Pakistan-India war of 1971. More recently, Libya has provided assistance to Pakistan to fight against floods, infections, disease, and other natural calamities in Pakistan.
In 1976, The Libyan Central Bank provided a loan of US $50 million to the Habib Bank of Pakistan as a form of aid.[6] In the same year, an economic and cultural agreement was also signed, in which a combined shipping company was established.
There are around 30,000 Pakistanis who are residents of Libya. In 2009, the Pakistani government pledged to send 50,000 skilled workers to Libya by the end of the year under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries during a visit of the President of Pakistan to Libya.[7]
In February 2011, following the protests in other Arab countries, widespread riots broke out against Col Gaddafi's 42 year rule resulting in loss of government control over most of eastern Libya.
In a press conference on March 3, 2011, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated: "As far as the internal political situation of Libya is concerned, the Government of Pakistan would not like to offer any comment at this point in time". She stated that the current focus of the Pakistani government is on the safe repatriation of Pakistanis in Libya.[8]
Defending his crackdown against the revolt during a lengthy speech, Colonel Gaddafi passed controversial remarks about the current situation of Pakistan. He also compared his crackdown to India's counterinsurgency in Indian-held Kashmir. Pakistan's Media did not welcome Gaddafi's speech, and Pakistan's Television channels heavily criticized Gaddafi's remarks, and accused Gaddafi of interfering in Pakistan's matters.
Pakistan has also denied the presence of any Pakistani military personnel in Libya.[9]
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