Foriegn Policy

The period following the devastating 1971 war and the emergence of Bangladesh marked a watershed moment in Pakistan's foreign policy. Deeply isolated and reeling from the loss of its eastern wing, Pakistan's foreign policy priorities underwent a significant transformation. Initially, the focus was on damage control and regaining international legitimacy. Pakistan withdrew from military alliances like SEATO, signaling a desire for a more independent course. President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who came to power after the war, emphasized a policy of "bilateralism," seeking to establish strong relationships with individual countries rather than blocs. He actively pursued closer ties with the Muslim world, promoting Islamic solidarity as a cornerstone of his foreign policy. This strategy yielded some success, with Pakistan forging stronger ties with oil-rich Arab states like Saudi Arabia. The economic benefits of these relationships helped Pakistan recover from the war's devastation. However, the core issue of Kashmir remained a constant irritant in Pakistan's foreign relations. Bhutto attempted to improve relations with India, but these efforts hit roadblocks due to continued mistrust. The Soviet Union's growing influence in neighboring Afghanistan also presented a new challenge. Pakistan initially maintained a cautious approach, wary of Soviet intentions but reluctant to antagonize a powerful neighbor. By the late 1970s, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 fundamentally altered Pakistan's foreign policy trajectory. This event pushed Pakistan towards a closer relationship with the United States once again, as both nations saw the Soviet presence as a strategic threat. This shift laid the groundwork for Pakistan's pivotal role in the Afghan War during the 1980s, ushering in a new era of complex alliances and Cold War dynamics.