3.6 Pakistan in International Affairs

O-Level Pakistan Studies (2059) | Topic 3: Nationhood 1947–1999

2026 📋 Syllabus Objectives — What You Need to Know

By the end of this topic, you should be able to explain:

  1. How Pakistan developed as a nuclear power
  2. How successful Pakistan has been in its relations with: Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Iran, China, the USSR/Russia, the USA, the UK and the Commonwealth, and the United Nations
  3. The full nuclear weapons programme timeline and Pakistan's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  4. Relations with Bangladesh after 1971, including repatriation and indemnity
  5. Problems and tensions with India from 1947, and attempts at friendly relations
  6. Relations with Afghanistan, including Pakhtoonistan, the Soviet invasion, and its legacy
  7. Relations with Iran before and after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the RCD
  8. Relations with China, the Karakoram Highway, and the issue of Muslim minorities
  9. Relations with the USSR/Russia, including post-1991 ties and Nawaz Sharif's 1999 Moscow visit
  10. Relations with the USA, UK, Commonwealth, SEATO, CENTO, and the OIC
  11. Pakistan's role in the UN and the work of UN agencies in Pakistan

📖 MAIN CONTENT

https://cambridgeassistant.com

SECTION 1: Pakistan as a Nuclear Power

What is a Nuclear Weapon?

A nuclear weapon (also called an atomic bomb) is an extremely powerful bomb that uses nuclear energy to cause a massive explosion. Countries that have these weapons are called nuclear powers. Having nuclear weapons gives a country great military strength — but it also causes fear and tension internationally.

The Nuclear Weapons Programme — Timeline

1972 — Programme Established

  • After Pakistan's devastating defeat in the 1971 war (which led to the creation of Bangladesh), Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made a bold decision.
  • He was determined that Pakistan must never again be so vulnerable. In 1972, he officially launched Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme.
  • The goal was to develop Pakistan's own nuclear bomb to deter (stop) future attacks — especially from India.
  • Bhutto famously said Pakistanis would "eat grass" if necessary, but they would build the bomb.

1974 — India's Nuclear Test

  • In 1974, neighbouring India conducted its first nuclear test, which it called "Smiling Buddha."
  • This was a massive alarm signal for Pakistan. If India had the bomb, Pakistan felt it was in serious danger.
  • The test made Pakistan work even faster on its own nuclear programme.

The Nuclear Testing Race with India

  • From the mid-1970s onwards, both Pakistan and India were in a nuclear arms race — each trying to develop more powerful nuclear weapons than the other.
  • Pakistan received significant help from China, which provided technical knowledge and materials.
  • Pakistan also secretly acquired nuclear technology from other countries.
  • A key figure was Dr. A.Q. Khan, a Pakistani scientist who brought crucial knowledge from Europe to speed up Pakistan's programme.

1987 — Pakistan's First Nuclear Tests

  • By 1987, Pakistan had developed nuclear capability — meaning it had the technology to make nuclear weapons.
  • Pakistan conducted its first nuclear tests in 1987, though these were not publicly announced at the time.
  • This made Pakistan one of the very few countries in the world with nuclear weapons.

US Concerns

  • The United States (USA) was deeply worried about Pakistan developing nuclear weapons.
  • The USA feared nuclear weapons spreading to more countries (called nuclear proliferation).
  • As a result, the USA imposed sanctions (penalties — such as stopping aid money) on Pakistan at various times.
  • Under the Pressler Amendment (a US law), American military and economic aid to Pakistan was cut off in 1990 because of the nuclear programme.
  • This caused serious damage to Pakistan-USA relations during the late 1980s and 1990s.

1998 — Pakistan's Public Nuclear Tests

  • In May 1998, India conducted five nuclear tests under Prime Minister Vajpayee.
  • Pakistan felt enormous pressure to respond. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif authorised Pakistan's response.
  • Pakistan conducted six nuclear tests at Chagai in Balochistan in May 1998, making it the world's seventh declared nuclear power and the first Muslim-majority country to have nuclear weapons.
  • This was celebrated with great national pride in Pakistan, but it resulted in severe international sanctions from the USA, Europe, and other countries.
  • Nawaz Sharif lost international aid as a direct result of the tests, causing serious economic difficulties.

Refusal to Sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

  • The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international agreement that asks countries to either give up their nuclear weapons or promise not to develop them.
  • Pakistan has consistently refused to sign the NPT.
  • Pakistan's reasoning: India also refuses to sign, and since India has nuclear weapons aimed at Pakistan, Pakistan argues it needs its own nuclear weapons for self-defence.
  • Pakistan believes signing would put it at a dangerous disadvantage compared to India.

Sign in to view full notes