Iraq–Pakistan relations

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Iraq–Pakistan relations
Map indicating locations of Pakistan and Iraq

Pakistan
Iraq

Iraqi conflict. Iraq maintains an embassy in Islamabad while Pakistan maintains an embassy in Baghdad
.

History of foreign relations

Central Treaty Organization

Pakistan and Iraq joined the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in 1955 to oppose the Soviet Union; however, Iraq withdrew in 1959, following the 14 July Revolution.[3]

Diplomatic rift and tensions

Relations between the two countries deteriorated during the 1970s, beginning with the 1971

Military Intelligence of Pakistan convinced Akbar Bugti to join zulfiqar ali bhutto's government as a governer of the province, who was a Baloch leader, to defect to Pakistan.[citation needed
]

On 10 February 1973, the

Iraqi government. This tactical operation revealed a large cache of arms, ammunition, and hand grenades. Other weapon supplies were found in crates marked "Foreign Ministry, Baghdad" and these were allegedly for the Pakistani Baloch rebels. Pakistan expelled and declared persona non grata
for Iraqi Ambassador Hikmat Sulaiman and other consular staff.

In a letter written to President Richard Nixon on 14 February 1973, Pakistan's Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto blamed India, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Soviet Union, for involvement in a "conspiracy ... [with] subversive and irredentist elements which seek to disrupt Pakistan's integrity."[4]

A successful

stabilized the province.[5] In the wake of the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 in the Middle East.[6] During the war, President Saddam Hussein unsuccessfully tried to work with the Baloch rebels to divert Iran's focus to Pakistan.[5] Most of the military instructors were from the Pakistan Armed Forces. Around 40,000 military personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces were stationed in Saudi Arabia to reinforce the internal and external security of the country.[6]

The Iran-Iraq war was a

polarizing issue in Pakistan, with half of its population now under threat from its own Shiite population and from Iran.[7] President Zia increased Pakistan's security, knowing that since the country was close to the United States, it might get pulled into a war. The high-ranking members of Pakistan Armed Forces objected to the killing of Shiite pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Zia did not issue any orders to Pakistan Armed Forces-Arab Contingent Forces, to engage any country militarily.[6]

The Iran–Iraq war provided Zia with an opportunity to contend with Iran.

Afghan Mujahideen were sold to Iran, which was a defining factor for the country in the Tanker War.[6]

Gulf War and sanctions

In 1990, Iraq

military campaign against Iraq, with Chief of Army staff, General Aslam Beg and Chairman Joint Chiefs Admiral Iftikhar Sirohey overseeing the deployment of the Pakistan Armed Forces Middle East Contingent forces.[8]

General Beg accused Western countries of encouraging Iraq to invade Kuwait, though he continued to lead his armed forces against Iraq in support of

Operation Desert Storm.[8][10][12]

After the

Kashmir dispute with Pakistan. India and Iraq established joint ministerial committees and trade delegations to promote extensive bilateral co-operation.[14][15]

Post-Ba'athist era

In 2003, before the outbreak of the Iraq War, Pakistan announced that it was opposed to any military action against Iraq.[16] Pakistan was under public pressure to vote against the war, although some had considered voting for the war.[17] However, after the war ended, Pakistan indicated that it was willing to send its Middle East military contingent forces to Iraq for peacekeeping if they required it.[18]

The

troop withdrawal from Iraq. In 2013, both countries signed a defence pact.[22][23]

Iraq's ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Rushdi Al-Ani claimed that Iraq considers Pakistan "a Muslim

Super Mushak trainer aircraft from Pakistan as part of improving defense relations between the two countries.[25]

War in Iraq (2013–2017)

Main article: War in Iraq (2013–2017)

The War in Iraq (2013–2017), also known as the Third Iraq War, was an armed conflict between Iraq and its allies and the Islamic State from 2013 to 2017.[26][27][28] Neither Iraqis nor Pakistani officials have previously acknowledged Pakistan's role in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq. During a news conference held at the embassy, Iraqi Ambassador Ali Yasin Muhammad Karim stated that Pakistan was one of several nations that backed Iraq in its war against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (IS). The purpose of the press conference was to inform Pakistani media of the IS's evacuation from Mosul.

Speaking about Pakistan's cooperation, the ambassador stated that in addition to receiving intelligence on terrorists, Iraq also benefited from military medical care, weapons, and ammunition supplied by Pakistan. He mentioned that Pakistan had served as a training ground for a number of the Iraqi pilots that flew against the Islamic State.

According to the ambassador, Pakistan and Iraq might deal with the growing presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (IS) in the region if they continue their intelligence collaboration. He also commended Pakistan for maintaining its neutral stance in the Middle East.[29][30]

Recent visits

The state vists at ministerial levels by both countries have resulted in the imporvement of relations between the two countries. Bilawal bhutto the foreign minister of Pakistan visited Baghdad on a three-day visit to sign Memorandum of Understanding among the Pakistani and iraqi chambers of federation. During the visit, meetings were held by the foreign minister with the Iraqi leadership layed the foundation stone of Pakistan’s own embassy which was building in Iraq, according to the Pakistani foreign office. Both countries also signed agreements to end the diplomatic visas between both countries on diplomatic level.[31]

Pakistan's foreign minister stated Iraq ‘a true friend’ of Pakistan, he expressed the hope to reinvigorate fraternal ties and transform them into exampelary beneficial economic relations. Pakistan's Foreign Minister met with Iraq's President to strengthen ties between the two countries. They pledged to cooperate more in areas like water management, agriculture, defense, and trade.[32]

See also

References

  1. ISBN 9781581152036
    .
  2. ^ Butt, Gerald (26 February 2003). "Lesson from history: 1955 Baghdad Pact". BBC News. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  3. ^ Department Of State. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs (2008-01-07). "The Baghdad Pact (1955) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO)". 2001-2009.state.gov. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  4. ^ a b Shahid Saeed (3 April 2011). "Caught! (But what?): Follows the mystery of the arms cache that was discovered in the Iraqi embassy in Islamabad in 1973". Friday Times. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  5. ^
    ISBN 0-8447-4169-8
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 1-86064-169-5
    .
  7. ISBN 9780312216061
    . Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-9815378-9-4
    .
  9. ISBN 0-595-26904-4
    .
  10. ^
    ISBN 0-19-514979-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  11. ISBN 0-553-56338-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  12. ^ Crossette, Barbara (August 14, 1990). "CONFRONTATION IN THE GULF; Pakistanis Agree to Join Defense of Saudi Arabia". New York Times. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  13. ISBN 978-0892065721
    .
  14. ^ Iraq prizes ties with India: Saddam
  15. ^ Iraq Economic and Commercial Relations Archived 2008-12-27 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Pakistan opposes Iraq war - BBC News
  17. ^ Pakistan's key Iraq decision - BBC News
  18. ^ Pakistan willing to send Iraq troops - BBC News
  19. ^ a b Qudssia Akhlaque (July 9, 2003). "Pakistan to wait for appropriate time: Troops for Iraq". Dawn Area studies. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  20. ^ Gloobalaging.org Archived 2015-12-10 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Sinan, Omar (July 29, 2004). "Pakistani hostages killed by militants". The Independent. London. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  22. ^ APP (18 November 2011). "Pakistan to improve relations with Iraq: Khar". Gazette. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  23. ^ APP (March 25, 2013). "Pakistan, Iraq to sign defence cooperation pact". The Nation. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  24. ^ "Iraq wants to provide oil to Pakistan unconditionally". 24 August 2011.
  25. ^ "Iraq Buys Aircraft from Pakistan Following Iran, Syria & Saudi Arabia". 17 May 2014.
  26. LCCN 2023049372.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link
    )
  27. LCCN 2022040999.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link
    )
  28. ^ Wright, Robin (17 June 2014). "A Third Iraq War?". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014.
  29. ^ "Pakistan provided key intelligence, military support to defeat ISIS in Iraq: Iraqi Ambassador". Times of Islamabad. 2017-07-15. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  30. ^ Syed, Baqir Sajjad (2017-07-15). "Pakistan helped Iraq in defeating IS, says Iraqi envoy". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  31. ^ "FM Bhutto-Zardari calls for transforming Pakistan, Iraq ties into partnership". Arab News. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  32. ^ Khan, Iftikhar A. (2023-06-06). "Pakistan, Iraq ink MoU on visa-free travel". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
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