ZULFIQAR ALI BHUTTO'S DIPLOMATIC LEGACY: SHAPING PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN RELATIONS

Abstract

The paper employing the critical qualitative approach attempts to analyze
diplomatic legacy of Zulifkar Ali Bhutto and profound impact of his charismatic
personality on shaping Pakistan's foreign policy. The paper has selected key
contributions of Bhutto’s regime such as the Islamic Summit Conference 1974,
unity of Islamic counties under the umbrella ‘Muslim Umaah’; strengthening
relations with major powers (USA, Russia, China) and Islamic world; Simla
agreement; and stance on Kashimir’. The Charismatic personality of Bhutto
played a catalyst role in the formation of Organization Islamic Cooperation
(formerly known as Organization of the Islamic Conference) in 1969. Further,
he was the crux of the first summit of OIC in Rabat in 1969 and second summit
19754 in Lahore. Moreover, paper analyzing the Bhutto’s visionary
statesmanship and diplomatic sagacity for strengthening Pakistan’s relations
with world in general and major power in particular, concludes that Bhutto’s
personality was only Charismatic but possessed an art of persuasion, which
made him successful in strengthening relations with major powers as well
unification of Islamic world under the umbrella of OIC.