Iran Pakistan Relations in the Context of Upheavals in the Region from 1979 to 1989

Abstract

The geo-location and geo-politics during the Cold War and American sponsored alliances led to close relations between Pakistan and Iran. The secular outlook of early leaders of Pakistan and Iran also underpinned the good relations between the two countries. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had personal and friendly relations with the Shah of Iran, however, later on misgivings appeared between them from July 1977 onwards there were great upheavals in the region- Pakistan-Afghanistan and Iran. The fall of Shah and emergence of Ayatollah Khomeini completely changed the scenario and internal and external politics of Iran. Both Zia-ul Haq and Ayatollah Khomeini wanted to Islamize their countries but in their own way. In foreign policy Zia was pro-while Khomeini was anti-West and imperialism. Pakistan became a front-line State in the US sponsored war in Afghanistan against Russians. Pakistan also toed the Saudi (Wahabbi) line and Madrassas prospered in Pakistan while Iran backed the Shia minorities in Pakistan. The Sunni-Shia divide in Pakistan also impacted the relations between Zia’s Pakistan and Khomeini’s Iran. There was also a war by proxies of Pakistan and Iran in Afghanistan.

       Keywords: Iran, Islam, Pakistan, relations, revolution