70 YEARS OF US-PAKISTAN TIES: PERFUME, CAMELS AND CRICKET

The history of US-Pakistan relations is a blend of Hollywood glamour, diplomatic pivots and military alliances. While Pakistani rulers have visited the US over 60 times since 1947, only five US presidents have visited Pakistan in 79 years — averaging one visit every 16 years.

1954-55  Hollywood in Lahore

Hollywood icon Ava Gardner became the first high-profile American to roam Lahore freely. She was filming Bhowani Junction after the Indian government refused filming permission.

July 1956  First VP visit 

Vice President Richard Nixon met President Iskandar Mirza in Karachi.

Dec 1959  Perfume & cricket 

Dwight D Eisenhower became the first US president to visit Pakistan. He joined General Ayub Khan to watch a Pakistan-Australia cricket match. To mask the stench of open sewers near Machar Colony, officials reportedly sprayed French perfume along the roads. The visit resulted in the US doubling military and economic aid to Islamabad.

May 1961 The camel driver 

Vice President Lyndon Johnson met Khan in Karachi. Johnson befriend­ed camel cart driver Bashir Sarban, eventually hosting him at the White House and his Texas ranch.

1962  A First Lady’s tour 

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy visited Karachi on an unofficial tour, riding in an open-topped limousine with Khan.

Dec 1967  Prez’s stopover 

Lyndon Johnson returned for a one-hour stopover as president to meet Ayub Khan.

Aug 1969  Bridge to China 

President Richard Nixon visited Lahore to meet General Yahya Khan, seeking a diplomatic bridge to China.

May 1984  Secret letters

Vice President George Bush met General Ziaul Haq in Murree to discuss the Soviet-Afghan war.

March 2000  No handshakes 

President Bill Clinton arrived for a six-hour visit to meet President Rafiq Tarar and General Pervez Musharraf. Clinton’s visit was marked by his refusal to be photographed shaking hands following the 1999 coup  after the dismissal of former PM Nawaz Sharif. Furthermore, raising eyebrows, Clinton bypassed all diplomatic rules and addressed the Pakistani nation in a televised address.

He spoke In a televised address to the Pakistani people, Clinton spoke about need for a dialogue between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and peace and tolerance in the region. He also spoke about the US-Pakistan ties.

Feb 2005 & 2007 Unannounced warning 

Vice President Dick Cheney visited to boost ties and deliver warnings regarding Al Qaeda operatives.

March 2006  Cricket clinic 

President George W Bush met General Musharraf and played cricket with Inzamamul Haq and Salman Butt. Threre was a total lockdown in Islamabad with thousands of troops.

2009 & 2011  Biden’s medals 

Joe Biden visited twice as vice president. In 2009, he was awarded the Hilal-i-Pakistan medal by President Asif Ali Zardari. His second visit focused on militant sanctuaries and the conflict in Afghanistan, and followed the murder of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer. 

Oct 2011  Pressuring Pak

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Pakistan to pressure Islamabad to go after Taliban militants sheltering on the country’s soil. Clinton met PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. 

April 2026  Peace talks 

Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad with negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to broker a West Asia ceasefire.