ABSTRACT
The principal aim of a country’s foreign policy is to safeguard national security and promote economic development through fostering friendly and cooperative relations with other countries. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, framed the country’s foreign policy. Pakistan, as a new country, had to build every state institution and administrative department from scratch. This also included the foreign policy establishment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was initially manned by a Joint Secretary and supported by about 40 officers. On becoming President General Ayub Khan set about correcting the course of the country’s foreign relations and reducing its exclusive dependence on the United States. Ayub Khan’s tenure as President witnessed an expansion of economic relations with the United States and at the same time a more balanced foreign policy. In the realm of foreign policy General Musharraf’s tenure was marked by the events of 11 September 2001 and its aftermath as well as his efforts to normalize relations with India.
