The relations between the two countries have been friendly, with former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf having visited Australia in 2005[1] and the then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, having visited Pakistan in 2005 as well, following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake which had targeted the northern areas of Pakistan.

The 2011 distribution by state and territory showed New South Wales had the largest number, with 13,382, followed by Victoria (9187), Western Australia (2521) and Queensland (2357).

Both countries vowed to take the bilateral trade to US$1 billion with some concerted efforts at public and private levels.

Both Australia and Pakistan were a part of the South East Asian version of NATO called SEATO, also known as a 'mutual defence pact'.

[citation needed] The two countries have held bilateral defence and security talks since 2006.