Story of China-Pakistan Friendship

A Persian verse is the true reflection of the China-Pakistan friendship. The translation of the said verse is: "a friend in need is a friend indeed."
Time has always proved that China is the only country in this world, which helped Pakistan in testing times. Although the United States also claims to be our friend but in fact it is a friend about which we can surely say, "the one who has friends like you, does not need heavens to be his enemy."
Foundations of Ties
There is no denial the fact that the credit of strengthening Pakistan's friendship with China goes to late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose efforts not only gave it a new direction but eternity. However, not many of us know that the foundations of the China-Pakistan friendship were laid by Pakistan's first Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan and Prof Ahmed Ali was the first person to hoist Pakistani flag in Beijing. Before performing this important duty he migrated from Hong Kong to China and established ties with the then communist leadership in China. Resultantly, not only Chu En-Lai, the right hand of Mao Zedong but the other senior members of the Communist party used to visit Pakistan's embassy but often used to sit and talk for hours in the night at Ali's home.
Late Prof Ahmed Ali does not need an introduction as he was in the vanguard of progressive writers' movement and was considered a famous writer of Urdu and English. He no only translated Chinese poetry prior to the revolution but owing to his emotional attachment, he also paid tribute to China in his poems. Ali's personal relations of Chu En-Lai played an important role in furthering China-Pakistan relations. Ali and his family were popular among Chinese and he used to celebrate his Eid along with Chinese Muslims with zeal and zest. Ali had a great affiliation for Chinese pottery, in addition to Chinese arts and paintings. He visited China for the last time with Pakistan's Prime Minister Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy in 1956, which proved to be of historic importance for strengthening the roots of the friendship between both the countries. While appreciating Chinese, Ali writes: "Chinese are extraordinary self-respecting, practical and nationalist people. They are proud of their ancient history and culture. Affects of their culture could be felt world over. Chinese are proud of having an edge on the other nations of the world and their emperors used to call themselves "Tie'nTzu," i.e., sons of God. Chinese are patient, lively, energetic, and tasteful people. Their cuisine is popular all over the world."
Role in International Relations
Today, China is an excellent power, approved by the entire world, including the United States, the only superpower. Interestingly, the struggle by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaqat Ali Khan for a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent under the banner of the Muslim League coincided with the revolutionary changes in China in forties. Ali was in Nankeng at the time of partition of India.
After Pakistan came into being his family migrated and settled in the nascent state. Later on Ali also traveled through sea and joined his family in Pakistan. Soon he was appointed Director Foreign Publicity. His book the Muslim China was published in 1949 by Pakistan Institute of International Affairs Karachi. In the same year Chinese ruler Chiang Kai-Shek fled to Formosa after defeat and People’s Republic of China (PRC) came into being. Prime Minister Khan encouraged Ali's inclusion in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because of his ability and knowledge about China. He took charge of Far East Desk in the Foreign Office. He introduced Pakistani leadership with the newly born PRC and its role in the international relations.
People-to-People Contacts
There is no doubt that Pakistan and China share relations higher than Himalayas and deeper than oceans. The sincere friendship of both the countries has become a precedent. Anti-Pakistan powers are worried and scared of this exemplary unity and solidarity. They cannot find a way to create rift between them. The clear and courageous support has pulled Pakistan out of isolation after killing of Osama Bin Laden. Therefore, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's recent visit to China is much important. China has warned in clear words that no country has any right to violate Pakistan's sovereignty and integrity and no power in this world should dare look at Pakistan with malicious intent.
The most important quality of China-Pakistan relations is people-to-people contacts and both the countries consider each other as obligatory. China has openly announced that China-Pakistan relations would remain unaffected irrespective of any changes in the world. It is imperative that not only the 60th anniversary of China-Pakistan friendship was celebrated with extraordinary zeal but it should be fully reflected through the media. Meanwhile, issuing a commemorative coin will be appreciable. It is must be remembered that Pakistan was the first Islamic country to accept China.

President Zardari's Visit to Iran

Pakistan's empathy with the western countries has affected Islamabad's relations with Muslim countries, especially those Muslim countries that were once regarded as close friends of Pakistan. These were the countries that supported Pakistan in every testing time. But now, unfortunately, they are quite aggrieved with us. And the fundamental reason behind that is our close affinity with the United States. The desire to have close relations with Washington and our one-sided foreign policy has sometimes angered our friends like China, and they have also expressed their apprehensions through various gestures time and again. However, despite that, our policymakers are remain unaffected, as they continue to follow the same policy despite the knowledge that this policy has distanced them from their well-wishers.
Ties With Iran
Pakistan has always had good relations with Iran. During Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government, in particular, Pakistan and Iran were trying to gather the Muslim nation on a single platform so as to thwart the conspiracies of the Western countries. In this regard, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto invited heads of all the Muslim countries to Lahore. The agenda was how to bring the Muslim nation out of the whirlwind of problems, and how to make this organization of Islamic countries functional. This meeting was no doubt historic, and it was a major step toward the renaissance of the Muslim nation. However, we are fully aware of the consequences the Muslims had to face as a result of these steps. No Muslim ruler had the courage to make efforts for uniting the Muslim nation following the manner in which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Saudi Arabian Shah Faisal, who were the proponents of this conference, were killed. However, it is quite clear that this conference created awareness among the Muslims that it is neither possible to make progress nor can the Muslims get any respect in this world without renouncing the western domination. The agenda, which was decided in that conference, is still available and can awaken the conscience of the Muslim nation any time.
Anyhow, in addition to the US factor, sectarian clashes have also kept Pakistan and Iran away from each other. Pakistan has felt that Iran is promoting sectarian violence here, and provides financial and political assistance to specific groups. As a result, people belong to other groups also look toward other countries for assistance. We know that Pakistan has remained the center of sectarian clashes for a long time. However, this factor is no more a hurdle in relations between Pakistan and Iran. One may have millions of differences with former President Pervez Musharraf. However, he has the credit of at least one thing. He took practical steps to end sectarian violence. As a result, Pakistan has got rid of this malaise now. Relations between Pakistan and Iran have been under suspension for some time. President Asif Ali Zardari visited Iran on 25 June. During that visit, he called on the top leadership of Iran. Beside that, he also called on the Iranian spiritual leader. The objective behind President Zardari's visit to Iran was attending the conference on terrorism that was being held there. Since his presence was not meant to hold discussion with the Iranian leadership on bilateral relations, therefore, it does not seem that relations between these two countries could improve even after this visit.
Support for TAPI Project
Improvement in relations between Pakistan and Iran depend on the attitude of Islamabad. The Iranian leadership feels that the bitterness in relations was caused because of the attitude of the Pakistani leadership, and this bitterness was created when Pakistan put aside the Iran Pakistan India (IPI) Gas Pipeline Project, and supported the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Project. Under the TAPI Project, Iran has been forced out of this gas project. The Iranian leadership feels that the IPI Project was in the final phase. Had this project been implemented, Pakistani people could have got low-priced gas. However, this was not done, and in Iran's words, Pakistan put aside the IPI project under the US pressure. Anyhow, the TAPI Project has been signed.
Under the project, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will be partners in this project. The greatest disadvantage of this project is Afghanistan's participation in it because situation in Afghanistan will always remain tense, and the Taliban factor cannot be ignored there. Therefore, even if this project gets completed, it will always remain under the extremist threat. The Iranian leadership has expressed almost the same type of apprehensions.
The TAPI Project has the US consent as well. The US officials also want that this projects gets completed as soon as possible so that they also get alternative sources of energy, and they have to rely less and less on the Russian states. The US ambassador to Afghanistan said that he was very seriously studying this project, and it is possible that the US companies also join this project at some stage.
Undue US Interference
The improvement of relations between Pakistan and Iran is necessary and the interest of both the countries and the Muslim nation lies in the same. President Zardari hinted that the IPI project can also be resumed. It would be remarkable if it happens. However, keeping in view the current situation and the undue interference of the United States in our affairs, it does not seem to happen. If the Pakistani leadership actually wants to revive this project, it will have to show political insight and courage. Improving relations with other neighboring countries, in addition to Iran, should be part of our priorities because we have to live with these neighbors. This is because we have the right to make friends but we have no option regarding the neighbors. Many of our problems can be solved if our leadership understands this acknowledged principle and reality.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

Pakistan and Afghanistan are two brotherly countries sharing the holy religion of Islam and living up to the principles of this religion, while both the countries also have a common border and a common bright future. Earlier too, the two countries have faced strained relations along their common border. However, the then leaders had resolved the matter peacefully through their vision and wisdom.
During the rule of Shahids (martyrs) Sardar Mohammad Daud and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, both the countries had suffered tense relations but Shahid Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made these relations all-time better with just one visit to Kabul.
Various Important Matters
The security commander of Kunar Province has informed the capital, Kabul that the borders of his province have repeated been violated by Pakistan with the use of artillery. He said the central government should allow him to show his reaction. The report has come at a time when several days ago a delegation of Pakistan visited Kabul and later a team of Afghan high officials paid a special visit to Pakistan. During the visits, both the sides discussed various important matters, including trade, and also signed agreements.
During the visit, no country even complained about violation of the common border. The Afghan delegation, during the talks, did not even mention that its border has been crossed by Pakistan troops.
The Afghan capital had also been given the report that two innocent children had been injured in firing by Pakistani troops. Both the countries need leaders having wisdom and vision to resolve the grievances of the neighboring Islamic countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan should end differences and restore the normal relation, which are in the larger interest of both the countries. The enemy of Afghanistan is the enemy of Pakistan. Similarly, the enemy of Pakistan should be the enemy of Afghanistan.
Principles of Good Neighborliness
Serving the interest of each other, both the brother Islamic countries would become prosperous nations of the region, which is the interest of Afghanistan and Pakistan. There are over 18 countries of the region, including Central Asia, which are leading a happy life and whether at official or non-official level, they are making progress in every field. However, only Pakistan and Afghanistan have turned into battlefields of rival countries.
If the civil and military leaders of both the counties keep the principles of good neighborliness and better life of their people in view, all their problems will get resolved tactfully.