HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF PAKISTAN-CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS RELATIONS

Abstract

The centuries-old historical and religious ties encouraged Pakistan to prioritize Central Asia in its foreign policy after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 when five Muslim independent countries emerged: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. They have economic, political, and strategic prospects for each other; therefore, giving a special place in the foreign policies to their engagement. Since 1991, Pakistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) are enjoying good and mutually advantageous relations. They are doing economic, strategic, and political cooperation both at bilateral levels and multilateral levels. The centuries-old links between the two regions have provided a strong base for their cordial relationships. Since the independence of CARs, most of the countries of the world established relations with them but Pakistan’s engagement with them has special importance because of its geo-strategic location and mutual interdependence. This study is aimed to explore the existing level of political, economic, and strategic relations of Pakistan with all these five republics, the importance of their relations, and the potential, and opportunities they have for each other. It also analysis the problems they are facing in their relations.