THIS is with reference to the article ‘Neighbour to a superpower’ (May 24), which started what I found to be a rather unnecessary discussion on the gradual and solid development of Pakistan’s relationship with China. In doing so, the article, deliberately or otherwise, skipped the root causes that helped shape the solid Sino-Pakistan ties.

One may agree that during early days of our independence, there was a positive thinking in Pakistan that favoured Washington-led alliances, but it was a great sense of disappointment and anger when the United States put a ban on sale or replacement of military equipment that was used against the Indians during the 1965 war. Even spares were denied. It was considered a direct act of support to India, while Pakistan, despite being an ally, was left high and dry.

Later on, US inaction was glaringly evident during the 1971 Indian attacks on East Pakistan. The erstwhile Soviet Union’s radars and ammunition actively took part in the war to support the Indians, while Pakistan kept waiting for the much trumpeted US 7th Fleet which never showed up. There is a long list of ‘friendly acts’ committed by the US, like US-led attack on Pakistan’s posts in Salalah, that notorious F-16 deal in which Pakistan got a shipload of soya-bean instead of F-16s, the notorious Pressler Amendment, and, indeed, many more.

Looking back at the history of Sino- Pakistan relations, one finds not a single episode or occasion where Beijing may have tried to put pressure on Islamabad. The even trajectory of Pakistan-China relations is quite clear and trust-worthy.

Abid Mahmud Ansari
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026