THE ROLE AND INFLUENCE OF MUHAMMAD ZAFARULLAH KHAN IN PAKISTAN’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Abstract

This paper explores how Pakistan's first foreign minister, Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, shaped the nation's early foreign policy and diplomatic identity. Zafarullah Khan, a renowned lawyer, diplomat, and international statesman, was instrumental in defining Pakistan's position on important regional and international problems in the early years after independence (1947–1954). Drawing on archival records, United Nations proceedings, and contemporary analyses, the study explores his contributions to Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir, its relations with the Muslim world, and its participation in the Non-Aligned and Commonwealth movements. The paper also evaluates his advocacy for decolonization and self-determination at the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, which elevated Pakistan’s moral standing in global forums. Despite facing domestic political and religious controversies, Zafarullah Khan’s vision established the foundations of Pakistan’s international diplomacy and positioned the state as an active voice for Muslim and Third World solidarity. His legacy, though contested, remains central to understanding the evolution of Pakistan’s foreign policy orientation and its engagement with the global community