Libya–Pakistan relations

The Libya–Pakistan relations are the international and

Contents
Pakistan Libya
History of foreign relations
Relations during Cold war
1960s–70s: OIC conference in Lahore
1980s–90s: Reluctance, rift, and downfall
Relations after Cold war
1990s–2000s: Normalizing relations
2010s–Present: Libyan Civil War
Economic and trade relations
References

History of foreign relations

Relations during Cold war

1960s–70s: OIC conference in Lahore

After staging a coup d'état against king Idris in 1969, Muammar Gaddafi grew his relations with the
Marxist circle of Pakistan.[1] During the height of the war with India in 1971, Libyan leader Gaddafi
personally directed a strongly worded letter to Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi accusing her of
aggression against Pakistan in 1971, which endeared him to all Pakistanis.[1]

The foreign relations of Libya and Pakistan began to grow in the 1970s when the Pakistani populace began
to notice Gaddafi who paid his first state visit to Pakistan to attend the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) held in Lahore, in 1974.[2] In a televised speech given by Gaddafi at the meeting of the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference, he declared his support for Pakistan to pursue development of
nuclear technology, an issue which had been made a hot-topic by the United States.[3] When he came to
Pakistan to attend the second Islamic Summit Conference in 1974, he stated, "Pakistan is the fort of
Islam."[4]
On Pakistan's Left-wing sphere specifically the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Gaddafi was respectable and
a popular figure who had many inter-personal relations with Pakistan's Marxist circle.[4] According to the
American political correspondent, the Time, Gaddafi was one of many financial supporter of Pakistan's
clandestine atomic deterrence projects.[4] In his honour, the Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had named
the Gaddafi cricket stadium in Lahore, the largest in the country, after him.[4] At many instance of Gaddafi,
Bhutto decided to delegate Libya in its efforts to build its nuclear program, roughly based on Pakistan's
motivation.[4]

The general elections held in 1977 saw the overwhelming victory of Left-wing sphere. At an instance of
rightist alliance, PNA, a violent civil disobedience movement led the successful imposition of martial law,
under codename: Operation Fair Play, at midnight on 4 July 1977. This martial law led by Chief of Army
Staff General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq immediately removed the Marxist influence in the government.
Periodically, all ties built with the Gaddafi was limited in 1977; eventually cutting off all ties and military
assistance with Libya in 1978.[5]

1980s–90s: Reluctance, rift, and downfall

Before the atomic quest was completed, the Libyan delegation to participate in nuclear projects was sent
back to Libya in 1978 and all military advisers of Pakistan Armed Forces were immediately called back to
Pakistan in 1979.[5] Such initiatives revealed that President General Zia had strongly hated and distrusted
Gaddafi, therefore he immediately cut all the military aid to Libya.[5] Gaddafi sent many appeals of
clemency to spare Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's life and sent his personal plane with dispatching his Prime Minister,
Abdessalam Jalloud, to fly Bhutto out from Pakistan.[6] In spite of Gaddafi's initiatives, the air transport
was sent back to Tripoli and after a week, Zulfikar Bhutto was hanged per the orders of the Supreme
Court.[6]

After learning the incident, Gaddafi lashed out at President Zia and began hosting as well as providing
military training to far-left terrorist organization, the Al-Zulfiqar, which was established by Bhutto's
children.[6] However, the plan was thwarted by the ISI in 1980 when it had discovered and placed a mole
in the Libyan embassy.[6] In retaliation, Gaddafi signed a secret decree which called for the expulsion of all
the 150,000 Pakistanis residing in Libya.[2] The children and wife of Bhutto were given asylum by Gaddafi
in the 1980s, despite the agitation of President Zia.[1]

During this time, Libya suspected attempted to make a deal to share knowledge of nuclear projects with
senior scientists working in atomic deterrence projects; all efforts were thwarted by ISI.[6] In 1983–85,
Libya restored its ties with India and acceded with a nuclear treaty with India as opposed to Pakistan.[7]

Relations after Cold war

1990s–2000s: Normalizing relations

After President Zia's death and state funeral, the foreign relations began to normalized.[8] The general
elections held in 1988 resulted in left-wing coming to power and appointing Benazir Bhutto as Pakistan's
first female Prime minister.[8] The ties continued until Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was removed from
power after amid corruption charges by President Ghulam Ishaq, in 1990.[8]

In 1990, the new general elections oversaw the conservatives coming to power under Navaz Sharif, for the
first time in the history through a democratic transition. Immediately after being sworn in as the Prime
Minister, Nawaz Sharif soon paid a state visit to Libya.[8] In 1991, Sharif visit and met with Gaddafi.[8]
Gaddafi traditionally opposed Sharif's conservatism, and during the meeting, Gaddafi demanded Sharif to
sell him a nuclear bomb as Gaddafi suspected that Pakistan had developed years later.[8] Whilst, Prime
Minister Sharif reputedly denying his request and urging Gaddafi to continue the economical relations with
Pakistan.[8] Gaddafi insulted the Prime minister Nawaz Sharif and labeled him as "Corrupt politician",
which dismayed the Pakistan delegation.[8] The Prime minister's delegation members and journalists were
initially shocked and troubled with Gaddafi's attitude.[8] Therefore, Sharif cancelled the talks and
immediately returning to Pakistan and soon expelled Libyan Ambassador.[8] The ties were again restored in
1993 following the resignation of conservative Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Ghulam Ishaq.
The new general elections in 1993 revived the comeback of PPP under Benazir Bhutto who was
immediately sworn in as Prime Minister.

In 1994–95, there are reports indicated that the nuclear information was given to Gaddafi to provide aid in
Libyan nuclear program. In 2001, Pakistan via ISI, passed intelligence about Gulf States and the nuclear
ambitions of Iran and Libya, whose programs Pakistani scientists had helped to build.[9] Pakistan began
providing details of Libyan nuclear programme to Israel's Mossad.[9] These evidence were made public by
the United States but concealed the names of sources.[9]

This is my second visit to Libya. I came once before with my (martyr) wife Benazir Bhutto
and our family ties with Gaddafi family are strong...

— President Asif Ali Zardari's state visit to Libya, 2009[2]

In 2003, Gaddafi announced his intention to rolling back the nuclear program and ultimately handed over
the information given by the various sources to IAEA.[2] This turned out to be a "political nightmare" for
Pakistan when Gaddafi turned over the centrifuge designs to the IAEA in return for legitimacy causing
Pakistan international isolation.[2] President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's foreign
expertise later helped Pakistan out of international isolation in 2004 due to the quick economic boom.[2]

The PPP made its notable comeback during the general elections held in 2008. The PPP restarted its
relations with Gaddafi, which paved way for President Asif Ali Zardari's state visit to Libya in 2009.
During his visit, President Zardari termed Libya as his "second home".

2010s–Present: Libyan Civil War

After the start of the civil war in Libya, Pakistan immediately adopted the policy of "non-belligerent" in
2011. In February 2011, following the protests in other Arab countries, widespread riots broke out against
Gaddafi's 42-year rule resulting in loss of government control over most of eastern Libya.[10]

In a press conference on 3 March 2011, the Foreign ministry of Pakistan 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.[11]

Defending his crackdown against the revolt during a lengthy speech, Gaddafi passed controversial remarks
about the current situation of Pakistan.[10] He also compared his crackdown to India's counterinsurgency in
Indian-held Kashmir.[10] 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.[10]
During the civil war in Libya, the Pakistan Government initiated a cross-border operations, involving the
Navy and the PAF to assure the safety of and safe evacuation of Pakistani community in Libya.[12] During
the same time, the Arab media circulated news reports alleging involvement of Pakistan military in the
events of civil war in Libya, the Foreign Office emphatically stated that these were mischievous and totally
baseless.[13] There are no presence of any Pakistan military contingent forces in Libya.[13]
During the Abu Salim prison massacre remembrance, the Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli was attacked and
bombed by the unknown Libyan terror group. No group claimed the responsibility of the act.[14]

Economic and trade relations

Pakistan received economic assistance from Libya in the 1970s, aiding in the country's recovery after the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. 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.[3] 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.[15]

References
1. Nazar Abbas (26 August 2011). "Gaddafi is gone, long live Libya" (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20130809005813/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-64753-Gaddafi-is-gone-lo
ng-live-Libya). THe News International. Archived from the original (http://www.thenews.com.
pk/Todays-News-2-64753-Gaddafi-is-gone-long-live-Libya) on 9 August 2013. Retrieved
9 August 2013.
2. Shahid Amin (26 July 2011). "Pakistan - Libya Relations" (https://web.archive.org/web/2013
1109025718/http://www.p2prelations.com/files/reports/PKLibya.pdf) (PDF). Peoples'
Relation. Archived from the original (http://www.p2prelations.com/files/reports/PKLibya.pdf)
(PDF) on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
3. "How Are the Relations of Pakistan with Libya?" (http://www.blurtit.com/q756120.html).
4. Stengel, Richard (Monday, Jun. 03, 1985). "Who has the Bomb?". Time magazine. pp. 7/13.
Archived from the original on Jun. 03, 1985. Retrieved February 23, 2011
5. "The Wrath of Khan" (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/11/the-wrath-of-kh
an/304333/). The Atlantic. November 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
6. Tirmizie, Brigadier General I.A. "The Profile of Intelligence: Libyans". Brigadier General I.A.
Tirmiz, Former Officer of Joint Technical Bureau. Congress Publications.
7. See more details on foreign assistance on Libyan nuclear program
8. Khalil, Tahir. "Libyan Dictator' and State terrorism" (https://web.archive.org/web/2011102116
4217/http://jang.com.pk/jang/oct2011-daily/21-10-2011/main.htm). Tahir Khalil, special
correspondent to Middle East affairs. Jang Media Group. Archived from the original (http://w
ww.jang.com.pk/jang/oct2011-daily/21-10-2011/main.htm) on 21 October 2011. Retrieved
21 October 2011.
9. Journalist and author George Crile's book, Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of
the Largest Covert Operation in History (Grove Press, New York, 2003)
10. Khan, Kamran (8 August 2011). "Arab Springs: Gaddafi order against the People". Aaj
Kamran Khan Kay Saath.
11. Govt. Pakistan. "Remarks of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar
on the developments in Libya" (http://www.mofa.gov.pk/pr-details.php?prID=934). Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, press release. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
12. Staff (27 February 2011). "Pakistanis in Libya" (http://www.mofa.gov.pk/pr-details.php?prID=
877). MOFA press release. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
13. FO (26 February 2011). "Foreign Office Refutes Media Reports on involvement of Pakistani
Military in Libya" (http://www.mofa.gov.pk/pr-details.php?prID=876). Foreign Office.
Retrieved 10 August 2013.
14. "Hand grenade attack on Pakistani Embassy" (http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/06/29/hand-
grenade-attack-on-pakistani-embassy/).
15. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20111103075919/http://www.dailytimes.com.p
k/default.asp?page=2009). Archived from the original (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.
asp?page%3D2009) on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2009.\05\28\story_28-5-
2009_pg5_9

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