The
overriding objective of Pakistan's
foreign policy is the safeguarding of its sovereignty,
security and territorial integrity.This is underpinned
by its firm adherence to immutable principles of interstate
relations
The quest for security has been at the heart
of Pakistan's foreign policy since independence. Pakistan's
security environment derives its origins from the
circumstances in which Pakistan was created. The violence
accompanying the partition leading to the emergence
of the two independent states of Pakistan
and India
generated hostility which continues to afflict
relations between the two countries mainly because
of the unresolved issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue is the source of continuing tensions and
conflict, and shaped the unstable and tense security
environment in the region.
The historical perspective of Pakistan's foreign policy
falls in five broad phases. The first period covers
the time from the UN
enforced cease-fire of 1949 to the 1965 war over Kashmir.
During this period Pakistan allied itself with the
West by joining the Baghdad Pact and its successor,
CENTO, and SEATO. The primary motivation underlying
our membership of these alliances had been the need
to redress our defence vulnerability and achieve a
reason- able military equilibrium with India.
The
second phase runs from 1965 to the 1971 crisis in
East Pakistan.
The 1965 war, which was sparked by the Jammu and Kashmir
issue, had led to a drastic reduction in economic
and military assistance to Pakistan. The increase
in defence expenditure together with the decline in
foreign assistance compounded economic difficulties
and aggravated political problems led by a sense of
alienation in East Pakistan. India played on this
crisis and eventually imposed war on Pakistan.
During
the third phase from 1971 to 1989 Pakistan remained
engaged in rebuilding itself and facing the challenge
of the Soviet
military intervention in neighbouring Afghanistan,
which lasted for over a decade since 1979, and has
spawned a conflict that continues to ravage Afghanistan.
The
fourth phase covers the period from 1990 to the nuclear
tests of May 1998. Two important events from the security
perspective took place in 1990. USA
clamped economic and military sanctions on Pakistan
under the Pressler Amendment (which widened the conventional
gap between India
and Pakistan). That same year the intensification
of the freedom movement in occupied Kashmir
led to the massive deployment of Indian troops in
occupied Kashmir.
The
last two years, the current phase, have witnessed
important developments in Pakistan's
foreign policy. These include: the former Prime Minister,
Nawaz
Sharif's initiative to resume bilateral dialogue
with India soon after taking office, the nuclear tests
that radically altered the security environment of
South Asia last year, the security dialogue with the
United States and the crisis in Kargil.
These developments, together with the continuing conflict
in Afghanistan, represent the major preoccupations
of our policy makers. Meanwhile, trade and economy
have acquired increasing importance in our foreign
relations.
AFRICA
Pakistan attaches great importance to its
relations with African
countries. We share social values and culture with
a large segment of the region’s population particularly
the countries in the North Africa. Pakistan maintains
embassies in 12 African countries. The rest of the
countries are covered through concurrent accreditation.
10 African countries maintain their missions in Islamabad.
Pakistan's active interaction with the African
continent dates back to the late 1940s when our leaders
having personal experience of struggle against colonialism
committed themselves to assist countries in their
struggle for independence. Pakistan
prides itself on its contribution towards the movements
of the African countries for independence. Pakistan
has provided moral material and diplomatic support
to the freedom movements of Algeria,
Kenya,
Sudan, Zimbabwe,
Namibia and South
Africa to name only a few. The principled stand
against colonialism was supported by successive Pakistani
Governments in international fora especially in the
United Nations.
Relief
Assistance
Pakistan
has always been forthcoming in providing emergency
relief assistance of food and medicines etc. to African
countries suffering from ravages of civil war, famine
and other natural disasters. During the year under
review Pakistan donated 1000 MT of rice to
Niger. Another consignment to Niger will be sent
in the year 2001.
Peace Keeping Operations
Pakistan has always supported effort for peace and
development in Africa. It has participated in peace
keeping operations under the aegis of the UN in several
African
countries including Congo,
Ghana,
Somalia
and Rwanda.
Special Technical Assistance Programme
As an expression of goodwill towards African countries
Pakistan
is pursuing Special Technical Assistance Programme
(STAP) for Africa. The programme started in 1986 initially
for a period of five years but extended twice for
five years upto June 1997 and up to June, 2002 respectively.
More than 1500 participants from 47 African countries
have so far attended different courses at various
institutions in Pakistan winch include Foreign Service
Academy, Civil Aviation Training Institute, Pakistan
Administrative Staff College, National Institute of
Public Administration, Pakistan Academy for Rural
Development State
Bank of Pakistan,
Pakistan Railways Institute and Karachi
Port Trust etc.
Trade
Pakistan’s main exports to African
countries are cotton fabrics, textiles, rice, sports
goods and surgical instruments. Main imports am petroleum,
iron ore, steel crude vegetable materials and crude
fertilizer
Visits
During the year under review following exchanges of
high level visits have taken place between Pakistan
and the African countries:-
MOROCCO
President of Pakistan
Mr. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar visited Morocco
from 24-27 July 1999 to attend the funeral of late
King Hassan II of Morocco.
LIBYA
Chief Executive visit to The Chief Executive of Pakistan
visited Libya from 18-19 April, 2000. He held important
discussions with the Libyan leader, Col. Muhammad
Qaddafi, and Foreign Minister Abderrehman Mohamed
Shalqm. The discussions focused on bilateral, regional
and international issues. The Chief Executive's visit
to Libya strengthened the efforts to re-establish
and enlarge our economic interaction with Libya. The
Chief Executive also addressed the Pakistani community
in Tripoli.
The
Libyan Foreign Minister Mr. Abderrehman Mohamed Shalqm
visited Pakistan
from 10-14 May, 2000. The visit was for bilateral
consultations and as a follow up to the visit of the
Chief Executive to Tripoli. He discussed the implementation
of the decisions taken during the Chief Executive's
visit to Libya.
ALGERIA
Mr. Ahmad Attaf, Special Envoy of the President of
Algeria, visited Pakistan
from 4-6 June 2000. The Special Envoy who is also
a former Foreign Minister of his country held important
discussion with the Chief Executive. Foreign and Interior
Ministers. The two countries agreed on signing an
extradition treaty, the modalities of which are being
finalized.
NIGERIA
The Executive Governors of the States of Zamfara Kebbi
and Sokoto, Mr. Sain Ahmed Rufai, Mr. Al-Haji Muhammad
Adamn Allero, and Al-Hahi Attahiru Dalhatu Bararawa
respectively visited Pakistan
from 19-24 August 2000.
Three
Memoranda of Understanding, for enhancing cooperation
in various fields, were signed individually by each
Executive Governor with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture
and Livestock, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and Heavy Mechanical Complex, Taxila.
SENEGAL
The Senegalese Minister for Commerce, Mr. Habibou
Ndiaye, who is also the Director of International
trade visited Pakistan from October 27 to November,
1 2000. An MOU was signed between the Government of
Senegal and Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan
that would facilitate the sale of Pakistani rice to
Senegal. 'Me Minister also held important discussions
with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in
a bid to enhance the quantum of Pakistan-Senegal bilateral
trade.
The
Senegalese Minister for Equipment and Transport, Mr.
Ben Dianko Mbaye, visited Pakistan from 30 October
to 3rd November, 2000. During his visit an MOU was
signed between Ministry of Railways, Government Pakistan
and Ministry of Equipment and Transport Government
of Senegal. The MOU envisages assistance of RAILCOP
in rehabilitation of Senegal-Mali railway line.
GUINEA
Mr. G.R Delawa, Special Envoy of the President of
the Republic of Guinea visited Pakistan
from 11-13 October, 2000. He met with the Chief Executive
and delivered a message from the Guinean President.
The Special Envoy sought Pakistan’s investment
in the field of rice cultivation and evinced interest
in economic cooperation between the two countries.
Agreements/
MOUs
Three
MOUs for cooperation in various fields were signed
individually by Executive Governors of Nigeria with
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock; Rawalpindi
Chamber of Commerce and industry and Heavy mechanical
Complex, Taxila.
An
MOU was signed between the Government of Senegal and
Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan
that would facilitate the sale of Pakistani rice to
Senegal.
An
MOU was signed between Ministry of Railways, Government
of Pakistan and Ministry of Equipment and Transport
Government of Senegal. The MOU envisages assistance
of RAILCOP in rehabilitation of Senegal-Mali railway
line.
