What's new

Arab–Pakistan Relations

BLACKEAGLE

ELITE MEMBER
Joined
May 9, 2007
Messages
10,919
Reaction score
2
Country
Jordan
Location
Jordan
Background

Pakistan has enjoyed a close and strong historical relationship with the Middle-Eastern region, particularly Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and Lebanon. Today there are over One million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia alone, with a similar number in other Arab Gulf region countries that constitute the Arab League. These ties were put to the test when a massive earth-quake hit Pakistan's Northern Areas in 2005 with Saudi Arabia & UAE promptly dispatching critical aid, not only in terms of medicine & essential supplies but massive injunction of billions of dollars for the reconstruction of the region. Pakistan also enjoys extensive cultural & defense/military ties with most of the Arab League member states. Pakistan also has extensive trade ties with Arab League states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE with Saudi Arabia ranking as Pakistan's second largest trading partner after the United States. With such close association to the Arab League, Pakistan was also invited by Russian President, Vladimir Putin in 2006 to the First Session of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in 2006 in a bid to strengthen Moscow's ties with the big players in the Muslim world.
Army, Naval and Air Force cadets from many of the Arab League countries routinely enroll in training courses in Pakistan's well-recognized military academies while Pakistan Air Force pilots have flown Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian and Saudi fighter gets both in war (1967 & 1973 against Israel) & peacetime as part of their 'foreign deployments'. Units from the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force also serve allotted time periods in their respective fields in Saudi Arabia and UAE as instructors, maintenance crews, etc.

In 2007 Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf attended the Arab League summit held in Riyadh even though Pakistan had not yet gained 'Observer Member' status. Pakistan is currently in the stages of finalizing a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC countries, many of whom are also part of the Arab League while talks continue to grant Pakistan the 'Observer' status in the coming months. The country also has a long history of being an ardent supporter of several Arab causes, including Palestine, Iraq, Somalian crisis, etc.
There are over hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis in the Middle East, and many Arabs in Pakistan as well as Pakistani people who have historical Arabic origins.

Relations with Arab countries


Jordan–Pakistan relations
2121.gif
:pakistan:

Jordan–Pakistan relations are the bilateral relations embedded between Pakistan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Pakistan maintains an embassy in Amman whilst Jordan has an embassy established in Islamabad.

History

Pakistan-Jordan contacts began in the 1970s and 1980s, growing stronger since the mid-1990s. In 2001, Pakistani leaders visited Amman to discuss full-scale cooperation. The King of Jordan lauded what he called "deep, strong and historical relations" between the two countries and affirmed Jordan's keenness on consolidating its ties with Pakistan for the benefit of the two peoples.
On November 2 2007, King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Islamabad and held a formal meeting with the incumbent President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
In the meeting, Musharraf and Abdullah exchanged views on the overall evolution of regional and international situations, particularly in the Middle East. Concerns over the situation in Iraq were also pointed out, including the emerging sectarian and ethnic divides, and frequent incidents of sacrilegious attacks on holy sites.
Musharraf also spoke to King Abdullah about "Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia" and for "addressing the challenges of extremism and terrorism." The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the development of the Pakistani-Jordanian bilateral relations in various fields, especially of the cooperation levels that had successfully been established in the economic and trade segments.

Trade and investment

As of 2004 and 2005, the trade volume between Pakistan and Jordan remained at $53.837 million, in which Pakistan’s exports stood at $21.013 million and imports were registered at $32.806 million. In the past, many Jordanian leaders have invited Pakistani investors to look into opportunities available in the energy and power sectors of Jordan. In June 2006, an initiation for the process of negotiations in concluding Free Trade Agreement and Protection and Promotion of Investments was scheduled and set during the 8th session of the Pak-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission. During the session, discussions were also made on matters regarding the overall amount of cooperation in agriculture, science and technology as well as other areas.

Pakistanis in Jordan

Pakistanis in Jordan are either Pakistani people who live in Jordan, Pakistani immigrants to Jordan and people born in Jordan of Pakistani descent. The population of Pakistanis in Jordan, according to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, is estimated to be up to 8,000. Most notable, Princess Sarvath El Hassan of Jordan is of Pakistani origin.

Egypt–Pakistan relations

364543.gif
:pakistan:

The bilateral relations between Arab Republic of Egypt and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are warm, cordial and brotherly relations based on common bonds of religion, culture, values and commonality of interests. Modern relations traced back to 1947 when founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah paid a farewell visit to Egypt on the special invitation sent by King Fuad II. During the 1967 war, Pakistan stood with Egypt and sent its military aide, technicians, and personnel to aid the Egyptian military who was at the war with Israel.

History

Egypt and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1951, and since then they have maintained time-honored relations. Even before the independence of Pakistan, the only country that was visited by Muhammed Ali Jinnah was Egypt. In 1951, the two countries signed a friendship agreement, signifying the strong ties between the two countries. Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser, who visited Pakistan in 1960 for the first time, interfered to halt the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Pakistan played host to some Egyptian warships during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 Egyptian-Israeli war.

Bilateral Relations

Main article: Attack on the Egyptian Embassy in Pakistan
Pakistan and Egypt have close diplomatic and trade relations. Both countries are members of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), "the next eleven" and the "D8". The two countries are jointly coordinating on different fronts in international organizations, in September 2008, under the banner of OIC, Egypt and Pakistan, on behalf of the Muslim World, presented and sponsored a UN Human Rights Council Resolution to ban defaming of religion.

In 1974, President of Egypt Anwar Sadat visited Pakistan to attend the second OIC meeting held in Lahore, Pakistan, and generally supported Pakistan's plans to become a nuclear power. But, however, the relations with Pakistan went sour when Pakistan began ties with the former Soviet Union. The worsening of relations of Pakistan with the United States further played a key role. Nonetheless, the relations were normal with Egypt after the removal of Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In 1980s, President Hosni Mubarak and President Zia-ul-Haq further enhance the relations; Egypt also played a vital role in Soviet war in Afghanistan where Egypt widely provided manpower (see Afghan Arabs) and military equipments to Afghan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviets. In 1988-90 and 1993–96, Egypt's relations were soured with Pakistan Peoples Party formerly led by Benazir Bhutto who was generally close with the Russia. In 1995, a disastrous car bombing took place in Islamabad that targeted the Egyptian Embassy. A massive manhunt was initiated by ISI and all assailants were arrested in 2001 and were extradite to Egypt. In 1998, Egypt was the only Muslim country to have give criticism to Pakistan's nuclear testings in a reply to India's.

Since 2001, Egypt continues to support Pakistan in its war against terrorism and tracking down the al-Qaeda operatives. In May 2009, Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister visited Islamabad to show Egypt’s support and solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan. Along with the visit, Egypt was the first country to send relief consignment for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and still sending humanitarian assistance to Pakistan for the same purpose. Pakistan Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, on assuming his office, made his first trip abroad to Egypt, within a year time, Gilani visited Egypt again in July 2009.

Economic Relations

Economically, the volume of trade between the two countries increased by 55% in 2007-2008 to reach $313 millions, which still remains relatively low compared to the potentials and the close relations which both countries enjoy.In investment, among the different Egyptian enterprises investing in the Pakistani market, Orascom Telecom Holding is the owner of Mobilink, one of the largest telecommunication company in Pakistan with a total investment exceeding 2 billion USD. On the other side, several Pakistani investments in the field of textile industry are based now in Egypt.

Egypt and Pakistan have agreed to enhance the existing level of co-operation between the two countries which include economic and commercial relations, investment opportunities, co-operation in public and civil services, health sector, agriculture, and postal, both countries would further enhance their co-operation in the alternative energy sector particularly wind power generation. In addition, Egypt and Pakistan have started to open up new windows for cooperation in several fields, including agriculture, health, higher education, technical support, ICT, and others.

There are over 700 Pakistanis living in Egypt, mainly in Cairo and Alexandria. Relations are helped by the fact that both states are majority-Muslim and there is a strong people to people contact between both countries, Al-Azhar University continues to offer its 30 scholarships to the Pakistani students each year, this number will rise to 50 soon. Additionally, 30 Egyptian professors have been sent to teach at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. Furthermore, Pakistani scholars benefit from the scholarships offered by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.

Pakistanis in Egypt

Pakistanis in Egypt consist of migrants and expatriates from Pakistan in Egypt and their descendants. In 2004 alone, the population was estimated at 500, which rose to 700 by 2011. The community is mostly made up of recently settled families; the Pakistan International School of Cairo was established in 1981 and largely caters to Pakistani students.
In 2005, Egyptian police were in search of five Pakistani nationals who were required for inquiry along with 70 other individuals, in connection with details about a series of bombings in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik which left 88 dead. The incident was thought to affect the community with arising suspicion. According to former president Pervez Musharraf, many Pakistanis staying in Egypt tend to use it as a long-term route to travel to Europe to find jobs.

Notable people

Mohamed Khan - Egyptian filmmaker and actor
Salima Ikram
Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari - graduate of Jamia Al Azhar.


Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations

225131.gif
:pakistan:

The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Pakistan are historically and internationally close and extremely friendly, occasionally described as constituting a special relationship.
As two of the world's leading Islamic states as well as the power brokers in the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have sought to develop extensive commercial, cultural, religious and strategic relations since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. Even today, the relationships with the Saudi Arabia represents the most "important and bilateral partnership" in the current Foreign policy of Pakistan, working and seeking to develop closer bilateral ties with the Saudi Arabia, the largest country on the Arabian peninsula and home to the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina and the destination of Muslim pilgrims from across the world.

Development of bilateral relations

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are leading members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Saudi Arabia was one of the strongest supporters of Pakistan during Pakistan's wars with India, especially opposing the creation of Bangladesh from Pakistan's eastern wing in 1971. While it had supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict, it has since endorsed the Indo-Pakistani peace process. With Pakistan, it provided extensive financial and political support to the Taliban and the Afghan mujahideen fighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. During the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, Pakistan sent troops to protect the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia, but strains developed when some Pakistani politicians and Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg, the then-chief of staff of the Pakistani army openly expressed support for Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq and its invasion of Kuwait. Along with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were the only states to recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan. In May 1998, Saudi Arabia was the only country that was taken in complete confidence by Prime minister Navaz Sharif on Pakistan's decision on performing atomic test in Weapon-testing laboratories-III (WTL-III) in the region of the Chagai Hills. After the ordered the atomic tests (see codenames: Chagai-I and Chagai-II), Saudi Arabia, along with United Arab Emirates, were the only countries to backed Pakistan and congratulated the country for making the "bold decision". Furthermore, Saudi Arabia promised to supply 50,000 barrels per day of free oil to help Pakistan cope with likely economic sanctions in the aftermath.


Military cooperation

Pakistan maintains close military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing extensive support, arms and training for the Military of Saudi Arabia. Pilots of the Pakistan Air Force flew aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force to repel an incursion from South Yemen in 1969. In the 1970s and 1980s, approximately 15,000 Pakistani soldiers were stationed in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has negotiated the purchase of Pakistani ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It is also speculated that Saudi Arabia secretly funded Pakistan's atomic bomb programme and seeks to purchase atomic weapons from Pakistan to enable it to counteract possible threats from arsenals of the weapons of mass destruction possessed by Iran, Iraq and Israel. Both nations have received high-level delegations of scientists, government and Saudi military experts of seeking to study the development of a Saudi nuclear programme.

Cultural and commercial ties

Saudi Arabia has also provided extensive religious and educational aid to Pakistan, being a major contributor to the construction of mosques and madrassas (religious schools) across Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque (dedicated to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Since 1947, the far-right political parties have been receiving funding for their political activities in the country. The major Pakistani city of Lyallpur was also renamed Faisalabad in honour of King Faisal in 1977. 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 (see Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia). Saudi Arabia was a major supporter of the "Islamisation" programme of the military ruler Gen. Zia-ul-Haq in the 1970s. In 2006, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian decoration of Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia is the largest source of petroleum for Pakistan. It also supplies extensive financial aid to Pakistan and remittance from Pakistani migrants to Saudi Arabia is also a major source of foreign currency. In recent years, both countries have exchanged high-level delegations and developed plans to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, education, real estate, tourism, information technology, communications and agriculture. Saudi Arabia is aiding the development of trade relations with Pakistan through the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which Pakistan is negotiating a free trade agreement; the volume of trade between Pakistan and GCC member states in 2006 stood at USD 11 billion.


Pakistan–United Arab Emirates relations

375536.gif
:pakistan:

Pakistani-Emirati relations refer to bilateral relations between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy extremely close and fraternal relations, founded on deep-rooted cultural affinities, shared faith and traditions, as also geographic proximity and identity of interests. 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. UAE has been appreciative of Pakistan's contribution to the evolution of key institutions in the Emirates such as armed forces, police, health and education, and has reciprocated in the same friendly manner to the full satisfaction of Pakistan.

Frequent exchanges of high level visits and regular bilateral consultations between the two countries are reflective of the fact that Pakistan and UAE have laid strong foundations of mutually beneficial relations, friendship and peaceful cooperation over the years. The UAE has emerged as one of Pakistan's major economic and trading partners. A large number of Pakistani expatriates, numbering nearly 400,000 are gainfully employed in UAE. The Pakistani expatriates in UAE have contributed in a significant manner to promotion of bilateral understanding and to the economy of Pakistan through their home remittances.


Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates

Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates constitute a population of 1.2 million - only second to the largest migrant population of Indians. The majority are found in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, while a significant population is spread out in Sharjah and the remaining Northern Emirates. Dubai alone accounts for a Pakistani population of 400,000.

Background

From the time when heavy Pakistani migration occurred to the Middle East, a number of Pakistanis went to the United Arab Emirates. While many tend to be skilled and semi-skilled professionals, most are unskilled migrant workers.

Pakistanis have integrated well within the society and contribute an important share to the country; the previous years have shown heavy investment in the UAE by Pakistanis. A recent statistical report cited by the president of the Pakistan-UAE Business Council revealed that there were currently 6,000 Pakistani companies actively operating in the country and Pakistanis had invested a total of 6.7 billion Dirhams in Dubai real estate alone.


Pakistani Professionals

According to the latest census there are 1.2mn Pakistanis in UAE. Pakistanis in UAE dominate the transport sector i.e. from logistics to crane operators and up to taxi drivers. There are many Pakistani bankers working in various local and multinational banks. It is not uncommon to find Pakistani Professionals working in various Multinationals in UAE. There are many Pakistani restaurants in UAE owned and run by these expatriate Pakistanis.
Community Representation

There are number of organisations which represent Pakistanis in UAE. Some of them are as follows:
1. Pakistan Business Council (PBC) 2. Pakistan Association of Dubai (PAD) 3. Pakistan Professional Wing. (PPW) 4. Youth Club of Pakistan (YCP) 5. Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Alumni UAE Chapter
 
Iraq–Pakistan relations

362160.gif
:pakistan:

raq and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1947. Iraq was the first Arab country to recognise Pakistan. Today Pakistan has an embassy in Baghdad while Iraq has an embassy in Islamabad. In 2003, prior to the outbreak of the second Gulf War, the government of Pakistan announced it was opposed to any action against Iraq. Pakistan was under pressure by the public to vote against the war although some had been considering a vote for the war. After the war ended however Pakistan had indicated that it was willing to send troops to Iraq for peacekeeping, if the Iraqi people wanted it. Iraq's ambassador to Pakistan said he considers Pakistan a Muslim "superpower"
Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and support the Palestinian cause. Pakistan has strongly supported Iraq's territorial integrity and does not support Kurdish separatism.

Military relations

Both Nation were part of Cold War alliance called the Central Treaty Organization.

Kuwait–Pakistan relations

Kuwait–Pakistan relations are the relations between Kuwait and Pakistan. The relationship between both countries are brotherly and historical based on based on shared history, traditions and common culture. Kuwait and Pakistan have always enjoyed deep friendly, business and cultural ties. The two countries maintain cordial relations. The relations between Kuwait and Pakistan are deep-rooted and cover political, diplomatic, religious, trade, economy and a host of other areas and the two countries have always stood by each other at time of need. The ties are based on common cultural and religious ties. Trade between Pakistan and Kuwait dates back to pre-independence era.

Commercial, economic and cultural ties

Kuwait and Pakistan are the members of OIC. Pakistani forces took active part in the liberation of Kuwait along with coalition forces in 1991. After the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 Pakistani army engineers were involved in a programme of mine clearance in the country. The present level of Kuwaiti exports to Pakistan is $750 million. Pakistani exports to Kuwait are just $50 million. Kuwait and Pakistan have decided to expand their mutual trade to $1.0 billion annually in the next two to three years. The number of Pakistanis living in Kuwait is estimated to be around 100,000. The sheikhs of Kuwait also preferred to come to Pakistan for rest, recreation and hunting.

Aid to Pakistan

Kuwait was also the first country to send aid to isolated mountain villages in Kashmir after the quake of 2005, also offering the largest amount of aid in the aftermath of the quake ($100m).
In response to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the Kuwaiti government pledged Pakistan US$100 million. Moreover, in the aftermath of the 2010 Pakistan floods, the Kuwaiti government lifted a long standing ban on collecting donations in public.

Numbers

The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation estimates the population of Pakistanis in Kuwait to be around 100,000. The former Pakistani chargé d'affaires in Kuwait has given a higher estimate of 150,000 in 2009.

Education

There are a number of Pakistani schools in Kuwait including Pakistan school and college salmiya kuwait which is the oldest school in kuwait. the Fahaheel Pakistan School in Mangaf, the Gulf Pakistan English School and College, the New Pakistan International School, and the International School and College of Pakistan, Kuwait.

Notable people

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Ramzi Yousef
Faizan R. Cheema
Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti
Iftikhar Aziz Abbassi, ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait

Lebanon–Pakistan relations

395176.gif
:pakistan:

Lebanon–Pakistan relations are the relations between Lebanon and Pakistan. Pakistan and Lebanon are bound by deep ties of amity and friendship and relations between the two brotherly countries have always been close and friendly. Pakistan has an embassy in Beirut. Lebanon has an embassy in Islamabad.

Relations

Lebanon and Pakistan have close relations, which are based on shared views on peace and stability in the Middle East as well as aspirations for the future. Relations between Beirut and Islamabad have been good, mainly because Pakistan does not recognise Israel as a legitimate country.
Bilateral trade between the two nations currently stands at $35.4 million in 2005-06.


Libya–Pakistan relations

327218172.gif
:pakistan:

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.

Bhutto's ties with Colonel Gaddafi

The early 1970s were the first time the Pakistani populace began to notice Muammar 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. 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'état conducted at midnight on July 4, 1977 by the Pakistan Army led by Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad 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.


Post Bhutto era

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. Libya hosted and trained militants and dissidents of Al-Zulfiqar which was established by Bhutto's children. However the plan was thwarted by the ISI when it had discovered and placed a mole in the Libyan embassy.

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. The ties continued until Benazir Bhutto was removed from power after amid corruption charges. 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. In 1991, Sharif visit and met with Gaddafi. Gaddafi traditionally opposed Sharif's Western conservatism, and during the meeting, Gaddafi demanded Sharif to sell him a nuclear bomb as Gaddafi suspected that Pakistan had developed years later. Sharif refused Gaddafi's demand and urged him to continue the economical relations with Pakistan. Gaddafi insulted the Prime minister and labeled him as "Corrupt politician", which dismayed and insulted the Prime minister. The Prime minister's delegation members and journalists were initially shocked and troubled with Gaddafi's attitude. Therefore, Sharif cancelled the talks and immediately returning to Pakistan and soon expelled Libyan Ambassador.

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. Pakistan began providing details of Libyan nuclear programme to Israel's Mossad. These evidence were made public by the United States but concealed the names of sources.

The Bilateral Relationship

Pakistan received economic assistance from Libya in the 1970s, aiding in the country's recovery after the Indo-Pakistani 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. 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.

2011 Libya civil war

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.

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.
 
In 2007 Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf attended the Arab League summit held in Riyadh even though Pakistan had not yet gained 'Observer Member' status. Pakistan is currently in the stages of finalizing a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC countries, many of whom are also part of the Arab League while talks continue to grant Pakistan the 'Observer' status in the coming months. The country also has a long history of being an ardent supporter of several Arab causes, including Palestine, Iraq, Somalian crisis, etc.
There are over hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis in the Middle East, and many Arabs in Pakistan as well as Pakistani people who have historical Arabic origins.

Requires correction?
 
Relations between Pakistan and Tunisia are generally cordial and friendly. The relations between the two countries are very old, traditional and religious

1-Diplomatic Missions

Pakistan has an embassy in Tunis, and Tunisia has an embassy in Islamabad.
2-History

Pakistan supported Tunisia during its struggle for independence. Diplomatic relations between both states were established in 1957. Pakistan opened its embassy in Tunis in 1958, while Tunisia opened its embassy in Islamabad in 1980 and is supporting Pakistan in the Kashmir conflict
3-Bilateral Relations

There is also a long tradition of cooperation and coordination that exist between the two countries in international organizations particularly the United Nations, the OIC and NAM. Pakistan supported Tunisia on the issue of its complete control on Bizerte and declared it an integral part of Tunisia. Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf also visited Tunisia in July 2003.
4-Economic Relations

The 7th session of the joint ministerial commission was held in Tunis the 4th to 6 May 2010 and was signalled by the signing of four important agreements and memorandum of understanding.
 
the current prime minister can't be trusted, but any way it doesn't matter because pakistan is run by ISI and the military, not the prime minister, and those have very good relations with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and pakistan Alhamdulillah are great allies also UAE and other GCC countries have excellent relations with pakistan, I hope some day turkey Insha`allah will join this alliance.

as i always say Pakistan+KSA zindabad :)
 
the current prime minister can't be trusted, but any way it doesn't matter because pakistan is run by ISI and the military, not the prime minister, and those have very good relations with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and pakistan Alhamdulillah are great allies also UAE and other GCC countries have excellent relations with pakistan, I hope some day turkey Insha`allah will join this alliance.

as i always say Pakistan+KSA zindabad :)

Ameen brother
smiley-hug007.gif
smiley-hug008.gif
 
the current prime minister can't be trusted, but any way it doesn't matter because pakistan is run by ISI and the military, not the prime minister, and those have very good relations with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia and pakistan Alhamdulillah are great allies also UAE and other GCC countries have excellent relations with pakistan, I hope some day turkey Insha`allah will join this alliance.

as i always say Pakistan+KSA zindabad :)

China and arabs are our tested close friends....I even feel more warmth with arabs and KSA espeiclly here in uk more tha nany thers, who serve as our home (for cricket etc).

It is palestine who have slap the world by playing a footbal match in a violent city Karachi not any other muslim coutry...
Our pilot fought for them back 1960s...

They do accomodate pakistanis when other countires wants want jobs in their countries, even other wanted to have jobs in their coutries.

They donot offer you labour job but all KSA universities have Pakistanis , bleive me. IF SHARJAH has to call for a SHARJHA cup then PAkistna would be always compulsory, even if they are two counties. We host our matches their instead of in our neighbouring coutries...as I in mosques met....You can not sacrifice a close brothers on diplomatic reasons...We love muslim countries, especial arab countries and countires with muslims and genrally humanity

FOr God sake try to recognise your true friends and all muslims are our most closest friend, believe me and among them ARAB are the most tested one and undoubtedly we have proved our friendsship at every moment (at nation level at least)....MAY ALLAH save ummah for any split and confliction and fitna among ourselves...other knows that muslims can only be deafeated one way, by making separation and departing among themselves...its how they are financiaing one side of muslims to fight for other sid of muslims..MAy ALLAH save this planet from the bloodshed of humanity brotherhood(AMIN) ...

ZINDABADE :pakistan: :ARAB: :muslims: :china: :world:


AMEEN!
 
And iran also. :)

As a muslim it's my duty to love and care msulim country and humanity and if they don't do their part of duty...But I will reply too ALLAH I did my part very well...Yes IRan is our brethern muslim country as well....Every of our brther has to do their duty if it's Turkey or KSA or IRan or Pakistan...Only Allah's commands are supereme and every one of us has to answer be it our dearest Islamic Pakistan or Iran or Turkey or our beloved KSA (holy places)
 
Morocco–Pakistan relations

114204.gif
:pakistan:

Diplomatic missions

Morocco has an embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan has an embassy in Rabat.

History

The diplomatic relations between Morocco and Pakistan were established in 1950s.

Bilateral relations

Both 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.

Economic relations

In late 2007, the Moroccan Ambassador, Mohammed Rida El Fassi, invited and encouraged Pakistani entrepreneurs and businessmen to take advantage of Morocco’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with USA and European Union (EU), particularly in the textile and readymade garments. In a meeting with the Vice-President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Zubair Tufail, the ambassador said that under the FTA, Morocco has free access of readymade garments to USA, which is a huge market for garments. “Morocco is a big exporter of readymade garments to Europe, and we invite Pakistani companies to share the Moroccan export to Europe,” Fassi said. The ambassador went on to invite Pakistani companies to set up garment units in Morocco, where even a 30% value addition is acceptable to the European Union.
The Vice-President of FPCCI, Zubair Tufail, accepted and welcomed the Ambassador's offer in return and stressed that the private sector of both the countries will come closer to open new possibilities for bilateral trade. Currently, Pakistan's exports to Morocco stand at $11.5 million, whilst Moroccan exports to Pakistan stand at $147 million


Oman–Pakistan relations

796452.gif
:pakistan:

The relations between Oman and Pakistan are excellent close, warm, brotherly, cordial and deep. Relations between Pakistan and Oman are characterized by friendliness, cooperation and common perception over regional and international issues. Both countries are members of UN, OIC and NAM.
Oman has an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi, whereas Pakistan has an embassy in Muscat.
Oman is the nearest Arab country to Pakistan. 30% of Omanis are of Balochi origin from Pakistan's Balochistan province, having settled in Oman over a hundred years ago. Gwadar was formerly part of Oman but was sold to Pakistan on 8 September 1958. It was integrated within Balochistan on 1 July 1977 and became a full sub-division of the Gwadar District.
The bilateral trade between the Oman and Pakistan has reached $331 million. Both countries have agreed that the accords on defence cooperation, business sectors, labour and manpower, in their final stages are needed to be finalized. Pakistan-Oman Joint Investment Company has also been established in order to enhance trade between Oman and Pakistan. The two countries had been collaborating since long in their defence sectors, particularly air and naval forces and are in the process of inking an agreement to give it a final shape that would also include procurement of defence related equipment. Both increased defence cooperation between their armed forces, defence procurement, joint exercises, training and exchange of defence delegations.
There are over 85,000 Pakistani immigrants resident in Oman.

Pakistan–Qatar relations

553594.gif
:pakistan:

The relations between Pakistan and Qatar are deep, time-tested and the leadership and people of both brotherly Muslim countries have immense love and respect with each other as Qater Government has played key role in providing timely assistance and rehabilitation to flood victims. ANP President and Friends Welfare Society Qatar, Salim Bangash told on Wednesday that people of Pakistan and Qatar are associated with each other in diversified fields, religion and both countries are enjoying cordial relations. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are contributing a lot in development of Qatar and are earning valuable foreign exchange for Pakistan. He said Pakistan Ambassador in Qater, Asghar Afraid was providing best facilities to our country men and there is unprecedented increase of arrival of Pakistanis to Qatar seeking jobs and trade purposes and the assistance of Pakistani ambassador to them are very encouraging. Reposing full confidence in leadership of ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan, he said, ANP was made further active and strengthened in KPK and Pakistan under his leadership. Due to successful polices of the government and ANP, situation of law and order has immensely improved in KPK and back of militants has been broken in their strongholds, he remarked. He said our association was working day and night for addressing problems of Pakistan and Pakthuns community and collection of aid for flood victims. Bangash disclosed that Rs.3.5million had been distributed by his organization among the earthquake victims of 2005. Underlining the need for promotion of science, IT and technical education to youth, he said, that most of Pakthuns are associated with transport business in Qatar and there it great opportunity for the technical people in Qatar.


Bahrain–Pakistan relations


Bahrain–Pakistan relations refers to foreign relations between Bahrain and Pakistan. The relations of Bahrain and Pakistan are extremely cordial and brotherly. Bahrain has an embassy in Islamabad and Consulate-General in Karachi, whereas Pakistan has an embassy in Manama. Both countries are members OIC and G 77.

Bilateral relations

The two countries have good relations based on based on the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. Common faith, culture and values shared by Pakistan and Bahrain have strengthened relations between the two countries.

Economic relations

The trade between Bahrain and Pakistan has reached to $250 million. Bahrain is seeing Pakistan with a potential of being good for agricultural investments and dairy related industry, whereas Pakistani business community is interested in Bahrain's booming property market, banking and trade. A Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Economic Commission to boost bilateral trade and investment.
Major exports to Pakistan from Bahrain: Agglomerated iron ores and concentrates; aluminum wire and alloys; Paper & P/board; Rags, scrap, twine; Waste and scrap of cast iron; Stoppers, lids, caps and other closures of plastic; Aerated waters, flavored or sweetened; unalloyed aluminum; Aluminum waste and scrap; Copper waste and scrap; air conditions (without refrigeration unit); Prepared additives for cements or concretes; Yarn waste; Unbleached cotton fabrics; Other of waste oil; Sugar; Waste of Vinyl-Chloride/PL; and Other scrap of cell battery.
Major exports to Bahrain from Pakistan: Rice; Cotton and cotton yarn; Iron or steel; Mangoes, Oranges; Other fresh vegetables; Tubes, Pipes and Hollow profiles of cast iron; Polyester fibers; and Carcasses and half-carcasses of frozen bovine animals.

Defence relations

The defence co-operation between Bahrain and Pakistan is also very strong, both countries have further agreed to enhance defence co-operation. Bahrain is also taking interest to obtain army and defence equipments of Pakistan.

Cultural relations

People of Bahrain and Pakistan are close to each other as a sizeable number of Pakistanis are living and working in Bahrain numbering over 60,000. Pakistani community in Bahrain is contributing positively towards the socio-economic development of the country. However, the naturalisation of Sunni Arabs and Pakistanis serving in Bahrain’s security forces by granting Bahrani citizenship is a major bone of contention for Bahrain’s Shiite opposition.

State visits

In 2005, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Bahrain and met with Prince Muhammad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during his visit to Pakistan has termed Pakistan as his second home and has further stated that Pakistan was the country which is held in the highest esteem by the leadership and the people of Bahrain.

Pakistan–Palestine relations

156561.gif
:pakistan:

Pakistan–Palestine relations refer to bilateral Relations between Pakistan and Palestine. 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. Former President Musharraf stated that Pakistan will recognize Israel once a Palestinian state is internationally recognized

Historical relationship

Pakistan and Palestine have a very close and cultural relationship.During Israel's War of Independence (1947–1949), Israel's diplomatic mission in Washington received information that Pakistan was trying to provide military assistance to the Arabs, including rumors that a Pakistani battalion would be sent to Palestine to fight alongside them. Pakistan bought 250,000 rifles in Czechoslovakia that apparently were meant for the Arabs. Also, it became known that Pakistan bought three planes in Italy for the Egyptians. The Pakistan Air-Force participated in the 1967 and 1973 Arab–Israeli wars, Pakistani pilots flying Jordanian and Syrian planes downed some Israeli planes,whereas in the 1982 battle for Beirut between Israel and the PLO, fifty Pakistani volunteers serving in the PLO were taken prisoner by Israel. After the 1973 war, Pakistan and the PLO signed an agreement for training PLO officers in Pakistani military institutions. Pakistan and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had developed close ties. The PLO was first recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians at an Islamic summit in Lahore in February 1974. This was approved six months later at an Arab summit in Rabat. PLO missions in Karachi and Islamabad (Pakistan's capital since 1960) received full diplomatic recognition in 1975. Also in 1975, Pakistan had supported and voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 3379 which had equated Zionism with racism (the resolution was later revoked with Resolution 4686 but Pakistan voted against revoking it). During the First Intifada that began in 1987, pro-PLO rallies were held in Pakistan and the government sent the organization food and medical supplies. After the Palestinian Declaration of Independence on November 15, 1988, Pakistan then recognized the State of Palestine on 16 November 1988 and had established full diplomatic relations with it by the end of 1989.

Bilateral visits

The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, also paid an official visit to Pakistan in 2005, during his tour of Asia. During his stay in Islamabad, he met Pervez Musharraf who was the President of Pakistan at that time as well as the then-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Senate Chairman of Pakistan, Muhammad Mian Soomro. In the meeting, he made political talks with the Pakistani leaders regarding the current situation of the Middle East and the peace process between Palestine and Israel. He also discussed about the developments in the occupied territories and the international efforts exerted so far to attain peace in the region, and to implement related agreements in addition to the support Pakistan provides to Palestine. When leaving Pakistan, Abbas said that he supports the right to self-determination of the Palestinians and the solidarity of the Arab World with the Pakistanis against the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Abbas thanked Musharraf and the people of Pakistan for their continued and devoted support to the Palestinian cause.


Relations with Hamas

After the January 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called on the world to accept the choice and reality of the Palestinian people and must not shut the doors to the Palestinian people. The Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar paid a visit to Pakistan in June 2006 and thanked Pakistan for supporting the rights of the Palestinian people. He also received millions of dollars in aid from the Pakistani government.

Gaza War and Gaza Flotilla raid

During the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi have condemned the Israeli attacks in Gaza that killed over 200 people on Saturday and have appealed for cessation of hostilities. President Asif Ali Zardari further said Israel's air raids on Gaza Strip have "violated the Charter of United Nations". He also urged the entire world to take swift action of Israel's raids on Gaza as it was as open violation of UN Charter. On January 11, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Hussain Haroon, called for an immediate ceasefire and calm. He criticised Israel saying the unrestrained use of force, scale of destruction, killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, the violation of UN safe havens, and the collective punishment of an entire people were blatant breaches of international law. He said that those act, in their totality, constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity. He also called for the end of Israel's blockade in Gaza. Also during the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, Pakistan's GEO News was one of the only few foreign news channels that provided exclusive coverage of the situation that was prevailing after the war, right from Gaza. The reporting was hosted by the Pakistani journalist, Hamid Mir, in January 2009. After the Gaza flotilla raid on May 31, 2010, Pakistan strongly condemned the Israeli action, calling it a cruel act and an open violation of international laws and ethics. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated that "Pakistan strongly condemns this incident. Our point of view was that there was no moral or legal reason for this attack". The Pakistani government also expressed deep concern over the well-being of Pakistanis and journalists on board and Pakistani missions are in touch with Arab countries of the region to get information about the status of the Pakistani nationals in the flotilla. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the Israeli actions. They further said that the Government of Pakistan is exerting all its efforts to find out what had happened to the Pakistanis aboard the flotilla. Among the people who were aboard the Gaza flotilla ship and arrested by Israeli forces during that time was Pakistani journalist Syed Talat Hussain with his producer. He was the only Pakistani journalist that time who traveled with the flotilla and garnered wide attention in Pakistani media.
 
Morocco–Pakistan relations



Morocco has an embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan has an embassy in Rabat.

History

The diplomatic relations between Morocco and Pakistan were established in 1950s.

Bilateral relations

Both 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.

Economic relations

In late 2007, the Moroccan Ambassador, Mohammed Rida El Fassi, invited and encouraged Pakistani entrepreneurs and businessmen to take advantage of Morocco’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with USA and European Union (EU), particularly in the textile and readymade garments. In a meeting with the Vice-President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Zubair Tufail, the ambassador said that under the FTA, Morocco has free access of readymade garments to USA, which is a huge market for garments. “Morocco is a big exporter of readymade garments to Europe, and we invite Pakistani companies to share the Moroccan export to Europe,” Fassi said. The ambassador went on to invite Pakistani companies to set up garment units in Morocco, where even a 30% value addition is acceptable to the European Union.
The Vice-President of FPCCI, Zubair Tufail, accepted and welcomed the Ambassador's offer in return and stressed that the private sector of both the countries will come closer to open new possibilities for bilateral trade. Currently, Pakistan's exports to Morocco stand at $11.5 million, whilst Moroccan exports to Pakistan stand at $147 million


Oman–Pakistan relations

796452.gif
:pakistan:

The relations between Oman and Pakistan are excellent close, warm, brotherly, cordial and deep. Relations between Pakistan and Oman are characterized by friendliness, cooperation and common perception over regional and international issues. Both countries are members of UN, OIC and NAM.
Oman has an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi, whereas Pakistan has an embassy in Muscat.
Oman is the nearest Arab country to Pakistan. 30% of Omanis are of Balochi origin from Pakistan's Balochistan province, having settled in Oman over a hundred years ago. Gwadar was formerly part of Oman but was sold to Pakistan on 8 September 1958. It was integrated within Balochistan on 1 July 1977 and became a full sub-division of the Gwadar District.
The bilateral trade between the Oman and Pakistan has reached $331 million. Both countries have agreed that the accords on defence cooperation, business sectors, labour and manpower, in their final stages are needed to be finalized. Pakistan-Oman Joint Investment Company has also been established in order to enhance trade between Oman and Pakistan. The two countries had been collaborating since long in their defence sectors, particularly air and naval forces and are in the process of inking an agreement to give it a final shape that would also include procurement of defence related equipment. Both increased defence cooperation between their armed forces, defence procurement, joint exercises, training and exchange of defence delegations.
There are over 85,000 Pakistani immigrants resident in Oman.

e relations between Pakistan and Qatar are deep, time-tested and the leadership and people of both brotherly Muslim countries have immense love and respect with each other as Qater Government has played key role in providing timely assistance and rehabilitation to flood victims. ANP President and Friends Welfare Society Qatar, Salim Bangash told on Wednesday that people of Pakistan and Qatar are associated with each other in diversified fields, religion and both countries are enjoying cordial relations. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are contributing a lot in development of Qatar and are earning valuable foreign exchange for Pakistan. He said Pakistan Ambassador in Qater, Asghar Afraid was providing best facilities to our country men and there is unprecedented increase of arrival of Pakistanis to Qatar seeking jobs and trade purposes and the assistance of Pakistani ambassador to them are very encouraging. Reposing full confidence in leadership of ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan, he said, ANP was made further active and strengthened in KPK and Pakistan under his leadership. Due to successful polices of the government and ANP, situation of law and order has immensely improved in KPK and back of militants has been broken in their strongholds, he remarked. He said our association was working day and night for addressing problems of Pakistan and Pakthuns community and collection of aid for flood victims. Bangash disclosed that Rs.3.5million had been distributed by his organization among the earthquake victims of 2005. Underlining the need for promotion of science, IT and technical education to youth, he said, that most of Pakthuns are associated with transport business in Qatar and there it great opportunity for the technical people in Qatar.


Bahrain–Pakistan relations


Bahrain–Pakistan relations refers to foreign relations between Bahrain and Pakistan. The relations of Bahrain and Pakistan are extremely cordial and brotherly. Bahrain has an embassy in Islamabad and Consulate-General in Karachi, whereas Pakistan has an embassy in Manama. Both countries are members OIC and G 77.

Bilateral relations

The two countries have good relations based on based on the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. Common faith, culture and values shared by Pakistan and Bahrain have strengthened relations between the two countries.

Economic relations

The trade between Bahrain and Pakistan has reached to $250 million. Bahrain is seeing Pakistan with a potential of being good for agricultural investments and dairy related industry, whereas Pakistani business community is interested in Bahrain's booming property market, banking and trade. A Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Economic Commission to boost bilateral trade and investment.
Major exports to Pakistan from Bahrain: Agglomerated iron ores and concentrates; aluminum wire and alloys; Paper & P/board; Rags, scrap, twine; Waste and scrap of cast iron; Stoppers, lids, caps and other closures of plastic; Aerated waters, flavored or sweetened; unalloyed aluminum; Aluminum waste and scrap; Copper waste and scrap; air conditions (without refrigeration unit); Prepared additives for cements or concretes; Yarn waste; Unbleached cotton fabrics; Other of waste oil; Sugar; Waste of Vinyl-Chloride/PL; and Other scrap of cell battery.
Major exports to Bahrain from Pakistan: Rice; Cotton and cotton yarn; Iron or steel; Mangoes, Oranges; Other fresh vegetables; Tubes, Pipes and Hollow profiles of cast iron; Polyester fibers; and Carcasses and half-carcasses of frozen bovine animals.

Defence relations

The defence co-operation between Bahrain and Pakistan is also very strong, both countries have further agreed to enhance defence co-operation. Bahrain is also taking interest to obtain army and defence equipments of Pakistan.

Cultural relations

People of Bahrain and Pakistan are close to each other as a sizeable number of Pakistanis are living and working in Bahrain numbering over 60,000. Pakistani community in Bahrain is contributing positively towards the socio-economic development of the country. However, the naturalisation of Sunni Arabs and Pakistanis serving in Bahrain’s security forces by granting Bahrani citizenship is a major bone of contention for Bahrain’s Shiite opposition.

State visits

In 2005, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Bahrain and met with Prince Muhammad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during his visit to Pakistan has termed Pakistan as his second home and has further stated that Pakistan was the country which is held in the highest esteem by the leadership and the people of Bahrain.

Pakistan–Palestine relations


Pakistan–Palestine relations refer to bilateral Relations between Pakistan and Palestine. 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. Former President Musharraf stated that Pakistan will recognize Israel once a Palestinian state is internationally recognized

Historical relationship

Pakistan and Palestine have a very close and cultural relationship.During Israel's War of Independence (1947–1949), Israel's diplomatic mission in Washington received information that Pakistan was trying to provide military assistance to the Arabs, including rumors that a Pakistani battalion would be sent to Palestine to fight alongside them. Pakistan bought 250,000 rifles in Czechoslovakia that apparently were meant for the Arabs. Also, it became known that Pakistan bought three planes in Italy for the Egyptians. The Pakistan Air-Force participated in the 1967 and 1973 Arab–Israeli wars, Pakistani pilots flying Jordanian and Syrian planes downed some Israeli planes,whereas in the 1982 battle for Beirut between Israel and the PLO, fifty Pakistani volunteers serving in the PLO were taken prisoner by Israel. After the 1973 war, Pakistan and the PLO signed an agreement for training PLO officers in Pakistani military institutions. Pakistan and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had developed close ties. The PLO was first recognized as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians at an Islamic summit in Lahore in February 1974. This was approved six months later at an Arab summit in Rabat. PLO missions in Karachi and Islamabad (Pakistan's capital since 1960) received full diplomatic recognition in 1975. Also in 1975, Pakistan had supported and voted in favor of UN General Assembly Resolution 3379 which had equated Zionism with racism (the resolution was later revoked with Resolution 4686 but Pakistan voted against revoking it). During the First Intifada that began in 1987, pro-PLO rallies were held in Pakistan and the government sent the organization food and medical supplies. After the Palestinian Declaration of Independence on November 15, 1988, Pakistan then recognized the State of Palestine on 16 November 1988 and had established full diplomatic relations with it by the end of 1989.

Bilateral visits

The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, also paid an official visit to Pakistan in 2005, during his tour of Asia. During his stay in Islamabad, he met Pervez Musharraf who was the President of Pakistan at that time as well as the then-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Senate Chairman of Pakistan, Muhammad Mian Soomro. In the meeting, he made political talks with the Pakistani leaders regarding the current situation of the Middle East and the peace process between Palestine and Israel. He also discussed about the developments in the occupied territories and the international efforts exerted so far to attain peace in the region, and to implement related agreements in addition to the support Pakistan provides to Palestine. When leaving Pakistan, Abbas said that he supports the right to self-determination of the Palestinians and the solidarity of the Arab World with the Pakistanis against the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Abbas thanked Musharraf and the people of Pakistan for their continued and devoted support to the Palestinian cause.


Relations with Hamas

After the January 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called on the world to accept the choice and reality of the Palestinian people and must not shut the doors to the Palestinian people. The Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar paid a visit to Pakistan in June 2006 and thanked Pakistan for supporting the rights of the Palestinian people. He also received millions of dollars in aid from the Pakistani government.

Gaza War and Gaza Flotilla raid

During the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi have condemned the Israeli attacks in Gaza that killed over 200 people on Saturday and have appealed for cessation of hostilities. President Asif Ali Zardari further said Israel's air raids on Gaza Strip have "violated the Charter of United Nations". He also urged the entire world to take swift action of Israel's raids on Gaza as it was as open violation of UN Charter. On January 11, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Hussain Haroon, called for an immediate ceasefire and calm. He criticised Israel saying the unrestrained use of force, scale of destruction, killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, the violation of UN safe havens, and the collective punishment of an entire people were blatant breaches of international law. He said that those act, in their totality, constituted war crimes and crimes against humanity. He also called for the end of Israel's blockade in Gaza. Also during the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict, Pakistan's GEO News was one of the only few foreign news channels that provided exclusive coverage of the situation that was prevailing after the war, right from Gaza. The reporting was hosted by the Pakistani journalist, Hamid Mir, in January 2009. After the Gaza flotilla raid on May 31, 2010, Pakistan strongly condemned the Israeli action, calling it a cruel act and an open violation of international laws and ethics. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated that "Pakistan strongly condemns this incident. Our point of view was that there was no moral or legal reason for this attack". The Pakistani government also expressed deep concern over the well-being of Pakistanis and journalists on board and Pakistani missions are in touch with Arab countries of the region to get information about the status of the Pakistani nationals in the flotilla. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the Israeli actions. They further said that the Government of Pakistan is exerting all its efforts to find out what had happened to the Pakistanis aboard the flotilla. Among the people who were aboard the Gaza flotilla ship and arrested by Israeli forces during that time was Pakistani journalist Syed Talat Hussain with his producer. He was the only Pakistani journalist that time who traveled with the flotilla and garnered wide attention in Pakistani media.
After seeig your thread, I'm so moved to let you know a secret...

bro, once you wanted to say hello to the guy who wanted to have arabic as official language of Pakistan. ..I'm among one of them...:D

so Arabic is langauge of Quran so I love that more than my own and in grave I would not be needed a translator to make me understand the questioning of monkir and nakir...
Also we have alot of tussele with our indian bros go on in hindi/urdu here, so this will make our pakistani culture more dintinct from Indian...:P
Our daily trolling of Indian and Pakistani bros on this forum will reduce in next 50 years, provided if we get more vote on Arabic..:yahoo:

but joke apart, I think lanague is just expression, if i'm not teased becaseu of my langauge then i don't get thwab whilst speaking hindi or punjabi or sariki or sindhi or pashto etc...But I love arabic as Allah speaks with me in ARABIC in Quran...so we we can learn more islam and practise...
 
I am surprised that no one paid attention to Qaddafi-Pakistani relation:
Where are all the Pakistani members who used to cry over Qaddafi death?

Libya–Pakistan relations



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.

Bhutto's ties with Colonel Gaddafi

The early 1970s were the first time the Pakistani populace began to notice Muammar 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. 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'état conducted at midnight on July 4, 1977 by the Pakistan Army led by Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad 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.


Post Bhutto era


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. Libya hosted and trained militants and dissidents of Al-Zulfiqar which was established by Bhutto's children. However the plan was thwarted by the ISI when it had discovered and placed a mole in the Libyan embassy.

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. The ties continued until Benazir Bhutto was removed from power after amid corruption charges. 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. In 1991, Sharif visit and met with Gaddafi. Gaddafi traditionally opposed Sharif's Western conservatism, and during the meeting, Gaddafi demanded Sharif to sell him a nuclear bomb as Gaddafi suspected that Pakistan had developed years later. Sharif refused Gaddafi's demand and urged him to continue the economical relations with Pakistan. Gaddafi insulted the Prime minister and labeled him as "Corrupt politician", which dismayed and insulted the Prime minister. The Prime minister's delegation members and journalists were initially shocked and troubled with Gaddafi's attitude. Therefore, Sharif cancelled the talks and immediately returning to Pakistan and soon expelled Libyan Ambassador.:rofl:

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. Pakistan began providing details of Libyan nuclear programme to Israel's Mossad. These evidence were made public by the United States but concealed the names of sources.

The Bilateral Relationship

Pakistan received economic assistance from Libya in the 1970s, aiding in the country's recovery after the Indo-Pakistani 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. 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.

2011 Libya civil war

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.

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.
 

Back
Top Bottom