Pakistan's Strategic Diplomacy Security and Economic Alliances in the Islamic World
Pakistan, as an Islamic country, has always tried to create friendly ties with its neighbors and the wider Islamic world. Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan’s foreign policy has been guided by the vision of Muslim unity. The leadership hoped that by building close alliances with other Islamic countries, Pakistan could gain strength on the global stage and overcome the challenges it was facing at home. In the early years, Pakistan was a young and fragile state facing significant security and economic challenges. The ruling class believed that Islamic solidarity could help the country overcome these difficulties. It was expected that Islamic nations would stand with Pakistan in times of crisis and provide the much-needed support to strengthen the state. This expectation was not only an emotional hope but also a practical necessity. Pakistan had a hostile neighbor in the form of India, which was seen as the main external threat. To counter this, Pakistan wanted to secure the backing of other Muslim states so that India would not feel Pakistan stood alone in the international community.
From the outset, Pakistan’s foreign policy was founded on two primary pillars: security and economy. On the security side, India was the most pressing concern, and every policy decision was evaluated in light of this threat. On the economic side, Pakistan required financial aid, trade opportunities, and investment from the outside world to develop its infrastructure and reduce its reliance on limited local resources. Even if the Indian threat had not existed, Pakistan would still have required external support to sustain its economy. In this environment, the idea of Islamic unity became central to its foreign relations. However, in practice, ideology alone was not enough to achieve the desired goals. Pakistan recognized that, alongside its religious ties, it also needed to focus on practical diplomacy, economic agreements, and security commitments.
The Gulf War of 1990 brought Pakistan’s foreign policy into sharp focus. Pakistan had enjoyed cordial relations with both Kuwait and Iraq prior to the conflict. Kuwait has supported Pakistan economically and strategically at various stages of its development. Iraq, too, had extended support to Pakistan, being the first Arab state to recognize it and later helping during the Bengal crisis. However, when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Pakistan found itself in a difficult position. It had to choose between two Muslim nations, both of which were important for different reasons. The invasion was condemned worldwide, and the United Nations passed a resolution declaring Iraq’s actions as aggression. The United States, along with its Western allies and key Arab states like Saudi Arabia, formed a coalition to drive Iraq out of Kuwait. For Pakistan, the decision was complicated but unavoidable. By siding with Kuwait, Pakistan stood with international law and its own principle of not supporting an aggressor.
The deployment of Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during this crisis was a turning point. For many observers, it was surprising to see Pakistan, a
country that always advocated Muslim unity, send forces against another Muslim country. Yet the decision was driven by political and strategic calculations. First, Pakistan was a member of the United Nations, and supporting the UN resolution was necessary to maintain credibility in the international community. Second, there was a growing fear that Saddam Hussein might advance further and attack Saudi Arabia after Kuwait. For Pakistan, protecting Saudi Arabia was not only a matter of religious sentiment but also a matter of national interest, as Saudi Arabia has always been a close ally providing financial and political support. Third, Pakistan had a long-standing policy of not siding with aggressors. In this case, Iraq had clearly invaded and annexed Kuwait, leaving Pakistan little room to take a different stance.
By joining the coalition, Pakistan sent a strong message that it stood for international law and stability. This choice also helped Pakistan strengthen its ties with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, both of which became long-term strategic partners. In later years, especially after the 2005 earthquake, Kuwait was one of the first countries to provide relief and assistance to Pakistan. Saudi Arabia also remained a major supporter in terms of aid, investment, and employment opportunities for Pakistani workers. These relations created a strong bond that continues to shape Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Of course, the decision did come with costs. Iraq, which had been a supporter of Pakistan in earlier years, grew distant after the war. The loss of goodwill with Iraq was an unavoidable consequence of siding with Kuwait. However, in the broader context, Pakistan had little choice. Refusing to support Kuwait and the international coalition would have left Pakistan isolated and damaged its reputation globally. At a time when Pakistan was already facing political and economic instability, isolation was the last thing it could afford. Instead, by participating in the Gulf War coalition, Pakistan secured a stronger position in the Muslim world and maintained the flow of economic support from its Gulf allies.
The Gulf War experience highlights the complexity of Pakistan’s foreign policy. While the idea of Islamic unity remained important in theory, practical decisions were driven by economic needs, security concerns, and international obligations. Pakistan had to carefully balance ideology with realpolitik. Supporting Kuwait and Saudi Arabia allowed Pakistan to protect its immediate interests, even if it meant straining ties with Iraq. The lesson from this period is that Pakistan’s foreign relations have consistently been shaped by a combination of religious sentiment, economic considerations, and strategic necessity. The dream of a united Islamic alliance has remained attractive, but ground realities have often forced Pakistan to make choices that prioritize survival and stability over ideals.
Even today, the legacy of those decisions continues. Pakistan’s close relations with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait remain pillars of its foreign policy, while Iraq has never regained the same importance it held before. The Gulf War was a test of Pakistan’s diplomatic balancing act, revealing how challenging it is for a state founded on ideology to operate in a world driven by power politics. For Pakistan, survival meant choosing alliances that could provide economic relief, security guarantees, and political legitimacy. In that sense, the choices made during the 1990 crisis were consistent with the two foundations of its foreign policy: economy and security. The events surrounding Kuwait and Iraq reflect not only the challenges of that era but also the broader story of Pakistan’s place in the Islamic world and the global order.