The end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, which occurred in the last days of Zia’s rule, signaled a change in Pakistan’s foreign relations. The Geneva Accords, which ended the war, were signed in April 1988,and the following month Soviet forces began their withdrawal. Border skirmishes continued as mujahideen attacks went on, some staged from Pakistan. But Pakistan had lost its strategic importance in the cold war.
Without the cold war, whose end was marked by the collapse of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, the economic and military blandishments both sides had offered Pakistan and other emerging countries
had come to an end.
Benazir Bhutto had been a persistent critic of Zia’s alliance with the United States and had denounced him for allowing Pakistan to be used
as a base for the mujahideen. But after taking office, she attempted to
had come to an end.
Benazir Bhutto had been a persistent critic of Zia’s alliance with the United States and had denounced him for allowing Pakistan to be used
as a base for the mujahideen. But after taking office, she attempted to
strengthen the country’s alliance with the United States. Like her father,
Benazir Bhutto was an indefatigable traveler, making frequent trips to meet with heads of state around the world. In June 1989 Bhutto visited the United States to allay fears of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. She told the administration that Pakistan had no nuclear weapons, but
defended her nation’s right to pursue its nuclear program. In an address to a joint session of Congress she proclaimed Pakistan’s willingness to make a pact with India declaring the subcontinent a nuclear-free zone.
Bhutto tried to ease tensions with India while seeking solutions to the
disputes primarily Kashmir that had bedeviled relations since the birth of the two nations. In 1989 Rajiv Gandhi, India’s
defended her nation’s right to pursue its nuclear program. In an address to a joint session of Congress she proclaimed Pakistan’s willingness to make a pact with India declaring the subcontinent a nuclear-free zone.
Bhutto tried to ease tensions with India while seeking solutions to the
disputes primarily Kashmir that had bedeviled relations since the birth of the two nations. In 1989 Rajiv Gandhi, India’s
prime minister,visited Bhutto in Islamabad. In talks Bhutto reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to make the region a nuclear-free zone, a proposal Gandhi declined to consider. Bhutto succeeded in gaining readmission to the Commonwealth in
1989, making Pakistan eligible for trading privileges with other dominions, which the country desperately needed. Previous efforts to rejoin had been blocked by India on the grounds that Pakistan was not a
democracy, as it was under military rule. With a civilian again in charge of the nation, that objection was voided.
1989, making Pakistan eligible for trading privileges with other dominions, which the country desperately needed. Previous efforts to rejoin had been blocked by India on the grounds that Pakistan was not a
democracy, as it was under military rule. With a civilian again in charge of the nation, that objection was voided.