Libya–Pakistan relations
Encyclopedia
Libya-Pakistan relations refers to the bilateral and diplomatic relations between Libya
and Pakistan
. The relationship has been friendly throughout its history. Both countries share religious and cultural links, particularly their Islamic heritage.
. Gaddafi gave a speech at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference meeting, where he declared support for Pakistan to pursue development of nuclear weapons, an issue which had been made a hot-topic by the United States
. When he came to Pakistan to attend the second Islamic Summit Conference in 1974, he stated, "Pakistan is the fort of Islam."
Because of Gaddafi's support for Pakistan's nuclear detterence program, he became a popular figure within the country. Gaddafi cricket stadium
in Lahore
, the largest in the country, was named after him. However, after success of Operation Fair Play
— code-name for the coup d'etat conducted at midnight on July 4, 1977 by the Pakistan Army led by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq against the democratic civilian government of then-Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ties periodically strained. In 1978, Pakistan's ISI immediately cut its ties with Libya.
which was established by Bhutto's children. However the plan was thwarted by the ISI when it had discovered and placed a mole in the Libyan embassy.
The ties were restored by Benazir Bhutto
when she became country's first female Prime minister
after she secured the mandate during the 1988 parliamentary elections
. The ties continued until Benazir Bhutto was removed from power after amid corruption charges. The new coming Prime minister Navaz Sharif was sworned as the Prime minister after the parliamentary elections, 1990
, and the new Prime minister soon paid a state visit
to Libya. In 1991, Sharif visit and met with Gaddafi. Gaddafi traditionally opposed Sharif's Western conservatism
, and during the meeting, Gaddafi demanded Sharif to sell him a nuclear bomb as Gadaffi suspected that Pakistan had developed years later. Sharif refused Gaddafi's demand and urged him to continue the economical relations with Pakistan. Gaddafi insulted the Prime minister and labeled him as "Corrupt politician", which dismayed and insulted the Prime minister. The Prime minister's delegation members and journalists were initially shocked and troubled with Gaddafi's attitude. Therefore, Sharif cancelled the talks and immediately returning to Pakistan and soon expelled Libyan Ambassador.
In 2001, Pakistan via ISI, passed intelligence about the Gulf States and the nuclear ambitions of Iran and Libya, whose programs Pakistani scientists had helped to build. Pakistan began providing details of Libyan nuclear program to Israel's Mossad
. These evidence were made public by the United States but concealed the names of sources.
. More recently, Libya has provided assistance to Pakistan to fight against floods, infections, disease, and other natural calamities in Pakistan.
In 1976, The Libyan Central Bank provided a loan of US $50 million to the Habib Bank of Pakistan as a form of aid. In the same year, an economic and cultural agreement was also signed, in which a combined shipping company was established.
There are around 30,000 Pakistanis who are residents of Libya. In 2009, the Pakistani government pledged to send 50,000 skilled workers to Libya by the end of the year under a Memorandum of Understanding
signed between the two countries during a visit of the President of Pakistan
to Libya
.
in other Arab countries
, widespread riots broke out
against Col Gaddafi's 42 year rule resulting in loss of government control over most of eastern Libya.
In a press conference on March 3, 2011, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated: "As far as the internal political situation of Libya is concerned, the Government of Pakistan would not like to offer any comment at this point in time". She stated that the current focus of the Pakistani government is on the safe repatriation of Pakistanis in Libya.
Defending his crackdown against the revolt during a lengthy speech, Colonel Gaddafi passed controversial remarks about the current situation
of Pakistan. He also compared his crackdown to India's counterinsurgency in Indian-held Kashmir
. Pakistan's Media
did not welcome Gaddafi's speech, and Pakistan's Television channels heavily criticized Gaddafi's remarks, and accused Gaddafi of interfering in Pakistan's matters.
Pakistan has also denied the presence of any Pakistani military personnel in Libya.
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The relationship has been friendly throughout its history. Both countries share religious and cultural links, particularly their Islamic heritage.
Bhutto's ties with Colonel Gaddafi
The early 1970's were the first time the Pakistani populace began to notice Muammar al-GaddafiMuammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
. Gaddafi gave a speech at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference meeting, where he declared support for Pakistan to pursue development of nuclear weapons, an issue which had been made a hot-topic by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. When he came to Pakistan to attend the second Islamic Summit Conference in 1974, he stated, "Pakistan is the fort of Islam."
Because of Gaddafi's support for Pakistan's nuclear detterence program, he became a popular figure within the country. Gaddafi cricket stadium
Gaddafi Stadium
Gaddafi Stadium is a cricket ground in Lahore, Pakistan. It was designed by Daghestani-born architect and engineer Nasreddin Murat-Khan who also designed Lahore's Minar-e-Pakistan and constructed by Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company in 1959. Following the ground's renovation for the 1996 Cricket World...
in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, the largest in the country, was named after him. However, after success of Operation Fair Play
Operation Fair Play
Operation Fairplay was the code-name for the coup d'etat conducted at midnight on July 4, 1977 by the Pakistan Army's 111th Infantry Brigade led by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq against the elected civilian government of then-Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.-1977 election:The coup was...
— code-name for the coup d'etat conducted at midnight on July 4, 1977 by the Pakistan Army led by Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq against the democratic civilian government of then-Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ties periodically strained. In 1978, Pakistan's ISI immediately cut its ties with Libya.
Post Bhutto era
After the removal of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the ties with Pakistan severed. General Zia hated and distrusted Colonel Gaddafi, therefore he immediately cut all the military aid to Libya. Libya hosted and trained militants and dissidents of Al-ZulfiqarAl-Zulfiqar
Al-Zulfiqar was a leftist organization of Pakistan. It was formed in the late seventies by the sons of former Pakistani Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was also the Chairman of Pakistan's biggest political party, Pakistan Peoples Party. Al-Zulfiqar was formed to revenge the killing of...
which was established by Bhutto's children. However the plan was thwarted by the ISI when it had discovered and placed a mole in the Libyan embassy.
The ties were restored by Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
when she became country's first female Prime minister
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
after she secured the mandate during the 1988 parliamentary elections
Pakistani general election, 1988
General elections were held in Pakistan on 16 November 1988 to elect the National Assembly of Pakistan. The result was a victory for the Pakistan People's Party, which won 94 of the 207 seats...
. The ties continued until Benazir Bhutto was removed from power after amid corruption charges. The new coming Prime minister Navaz Sharif was sworned as the Prime minister after the parliamentary elections, 1990
Pakistani general election, 1990
General elections were held in Pakistan on 24 October 1990. The result was a victory for Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, which won 106 of the 207 seats. Voter turnout was 45.5%.-Background:...
, and the new Prime minister soon paid a state visit
State visit
A state visit is a formal visit by a foreign head of state to another nation, at the invitation of that nation's head of state. State visits are the highest form of diplomatic contact between two nations, and are marked by ceremonial pomp and diplomatic protocol. In parliamentary democracies, heads...
to Libya. In 1991, Sharif visit and met with Gaddafi. Gaddafi traditionally opposed Sharif's Western conservatism
Western conservatism
Western conservatism generally refers to a political orientation prevalent in the Western United States that some might otherwise call libertarian conservatism, Jeffersonian conservatism, or in some circles, classical liberalism, typified by politicians like Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and Ron...
, and during the meeting, Gaddafi demanded Sharif to sell him a nuclear bomb as Gadaffi suspected that Pakistan had developed years later. Sharif refused Gaddafi's demand and urged him to continue the economical relations with Pakistan. Gaddafi insulted the Prime minister and labeled him as "Corrupt politician", which dismayed and insulted the Prime minister. The Prime minister's delegation members and journalists were initially shocked and troubled with Gaddafi's attitude. Therefore, Sharif cancelled the talks and immediately returning to Pakistan and soon expelled Libyan Ambassador.
In 2001, Pakistan via ISI, passed intelligence about the Gulf States and the nuclear ambitions of Iran and Libya, whose programs Pakistani scientists had helped to build. Pakistan began providing details of Libyan nuclear program to Israel's Mossad
Mossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
. These evidence were made public by the United States but concealed the names of sources.
The Bilateral Relationship
Pakistan received economic assistance from Libya in the 1970s, aiding in the country's recovery after Pakistan-India war of 1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
. More recently, Libya has provided assistance to Pakistan to fight against floods, infections, disease, and other natural calamities in Pakistan.
In 1976, The Libyan Central Bank provided a loan of US $50 million to the Habib Bank of Pakistan as a form of aid. In the same year, an economic and cultural agreement was also signed, in which a combined shipping company was established.
There are around 30,000 Pakistanis who are residents of Libya. In 2009, the Pakistani government pledged to send 50,000 skilled workers to Libya by the end of the year under a Memorandum of Understanding
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
signed between the two countries during a visit of the President of Pakistan
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
to Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
.
2011 Libya uprising
In February 2011, following the protestsArab Spring
The Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
in other Arab countries
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, widespread riots broke out
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
against Col Gaddafi's 42 year rule resulting in loss of government control over most of eastern Libya.
In a press conference on March 3, 2011, a Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated: "As far as the internal political situation of Libya is concerned, the Government of Pakistan would not like to offer any comment at this point in time". She stated that the current focus of the Pakistani government is on the safe repatriation of Pakistanis in Libya.
Defending his crackdown against the revolt during a lengthy speech, Colonel Gaddafi passed controversial remarks about the current situation
War in North-West Pakistan
The War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistan Armed Forces and armed religious groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan , Lashkar-e-Islam, TSNM, Arab and Central Asian militants including Al-Qaeda, regional armed movements and elements of organized crime.The armed...
of Pakistan. He also compared his crackdown to India's counterinsurgency in Indian-held Kashmir
Kashmir conflict
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the northwesternmost region of South Asia....
. Pakistan's Media
Media of Pakistan
Media in Pakistan provides information on television, radio, cinema, newspapers, and magazines in Pakistan.-Regulation:The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority was formed in 2002 to "facilitate and promote a free, fair and independent electronic media", including opening the broadcasting...
did not welcome Gaddafi's speech, and Pakistan's Television channels heavily criticized Gaddafi's remarks, and accused Gaddafi of interfering in Pakistan's matters.
Pakistan has also denied the presence of any Pakistani military personnel in Libya.