Abstract
This paper examines Pakistan-France economic relations during 1947-1971. The economic cooperation between Pakistan and France started at very early stage in 1948. Initially, this start was very modest. Therefore, the volume of trade between the two countries was low. At that time, the world was divided economically into ‘Sterling area’ or ‘dollar area’ and ‘franc area’ or ‘zone franc’. France was concentrating more on ‘zone franc’ and Pakistan mostly linked economically to dollar or sterling area. This situation of low trade volume continued during the period 1948-1965. The balance of trade during 1948-1965 was mostly in favour of Pakistan. The trade balance started changing in favour of France due to her increased sales to Pakistan during the period from 1966-67 to 1970-71. France has participated in the development process of Pakistan by extending economic assistance in the forms of credits and loans bilaterally as well as through multilateral agencies since 1957. France is also a member of Aid-to-Pakistan Consortium (Paris Club) since 1961, which was organized in 1960 by the World Bank to assist Pakistan in its development projects. France extended its economic aid along with its technical support as well. In this regard, the significant French technical support can be sought in the establishment of Pakistan’s national oil industry, construction of Jhelum Link Canal, the Chashma Barrage, Terbela Dam, Port Qasim Karachi, Machine Tool Factories and various other development plans including power projects. France, being a non-traditional trading partner, has been ignored in the academic research. Therefore, in this paper, an effort has been made to put light on Pakistan’s economic relations with France in the historical perspective during the mentioned period.