Dominion of Pakistan – Kingdom of Iraq (1947–1958) relations

See also: British India – Kingdom of Iraq relations

Kingdom of Iraq—United Pakistan relations

IRAQ	PAKISTAN   (Occupied Kashmir)

Islam as a “strategic entity” in Pakistan’s quest for identity and interests, in its formative years, 1947 to 1956. The end of the post-colonial era not only re-defines the geography of the world but equally redistributes the power structures between the retired empires and the new states. The new players in the pursuits of identity and interests restarted the old game of gain according to their political paradigms. In subsequent events, Pakistan’s immediate neighbours created unfavourable conditions for its Identity and Security. Pakistan also wants to cease its immediate colonial past and to safeguards its territorial integrity. Islam suits Pakistan in all aspects, it got independence on the slogan of separate Muslim land, thus Islam became the cornerstone of its domestic and foreign policies. The primary investigation of this study is centered on Pakistan’s relationship with the Middle East Muslim countries. Islam was very much in the consciousness of Indian Subcontinent Muslims; therefore Pan-Islamism had a wider appeal for Indian Muslims and it dates back when they regarded Ottoman Caliphate as a symbol of religious unity and Political Islam. After independence, Pakistan’s Islamic character and cordial relationship with Middle Eastern Muslim states became an important and constant factor in the country’s foreign policy. But, on contrary the often-reiterated metaphor of Pan-Islamism failed to impress Pakistan’s other counterparts in the Muslim world.

Sunni and Shi'a Islam are the two major Islamic sects practiced in Pakistan. Pakistan is a Sunni majority country, with 76% of Pakistanis identifying as Sunni and 10-15% estimated to be Shi'ites. Both variations of Islam have many different religious schools that Pakistanis adhere to.

Diplomatic relations started in 1947. Iraq and Pakistan have had close, friendly, and cooperative relations since the latter's independence in 1947. Issues such as Iraqi support for Pakistan in its 1971 war with Republic of India (Indo-Iraqi relations) Iraq has been the first Arab country to recognize Pakistan on the 6th of October in 1947; and support it in the Bengal crisis. Bilateral relations between Iraq and Pakistan, as a result of their presence in different global blocs and different political systems in Iraq, at times were cold and sometimes dark. As a result, relationships have seen many ups and downs over more than seven decades.

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