Zulfiqar Ali Bhuttos foreign policy and relationship with Muslim world

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the foreign minister in the era of Ayub Khan, he took over Bogras position. He was always keen in keeping good relationship with the Muslim world. The first major achievement was sino-pakistan boundary agreement on March 2, 1963. In mid of 1964, Bhutto helped convince Ayub in establishing closer economic and diplomatic links with Turkey and Iran. The trio later on formed the R.C.D. In June 1966, Bhutto left Ayub's Cabinet over differences concerning the Tashkent Agreement. He also gained the support of foreign world in order to mustur the Kashmir issue and successfully made tours of China, Britain, Chille and Ireland. Bhutto emerged on the world stage as the leader of the Pakistan delegation to the UN in 1957 just at the age of 27. Bhutto believed in improving relations with the Muslim world and for doing so after taking over the government he called for an Islamic conference which was the second of its kind and was called up on 22nd Feb 1974 in Lahore. Other Muslim leaders were invited in the conference, King Faisal of Saudi Arab, Muammar Gaddafi, Yasir Arafat were the prominent ones. After this conference the Muslim world promised to stand besides each other, Itehad fund for Muslims that needed help was started, Kashmir and Palestine issue was raised and it was demanded that UN personally should resolve these issues. Then relations with Iran were improved like a cross border bus service was started and Pakistan promised not to dug out oil from Baluchistan because it would hinder Irans oil reserves and in return they promised us cheap oil. Bhutto sought to improve Pakistan's ties with the Arab world, and sided with the Arab world during the Arab-Israeli conflict. Syrian and Egyptian air force were both trained and helped by Pakistan Air force against Israel. Relations with Saudi Arab was improved in a way that Bhutto doubled their patrol force two times and during his reign Shah Faisal even visited Pakistan and to show his support for Pakistan he even built a mosque in Islamabad. He supported Arab and Islamic causes in his meetings with these rulers and leaders, and he articulated their concerns eloquently in international forums while with Iran trade and arms exchange increased by more than two times. Bhutto also tried to create good relations with Afghanistan but the Afghanis started covert involvements in the internal affairs of Pakistan. Bhutto did so much for the Islamic world that after his death sentence became public the Muslim leaders started to negotiate for his life. Muamar Gaddafi was even ready to trade Bhuttos life for all his wealth. It is the efforts of Bhutto that Pakistan is getting support from the Muslim world and this is one of the major factors which is helping Pakistan in remaining stable.