Foreign Policy Directions

Despite being a nuclear weapons state with the world’s fifth largest armed forces and the 26th largest economy with regard to public purchasing power, Pakistan could not make the desired impact internationally and instead, has been in the limelight for negative tags courtesy India and the West. The internal political situation is far from normal and international actors are reluctant to engage with Pakistani representatives as they are not sure of their credibility. Pakistani political parties have further damaged the country’s foreign policy choices by exploiting foreign policy as a tool to meet their political ends. Discussing foreign policy matters, especially with the U.S., in political public gatherings has negatively impacted Pakistan. The U.S. and EU have been antagonized intentionally or unintentionally, which has resulted in diluting Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic trajectories. Although the diplomatic corp. is exerting hard for damage control but it would need some time to regain international confidence. For instance, it is the U.S. and its likeminded countries which are deliberately denying Pakistan bailout packages from the IMF and the World Bank besides continuously keeping the country in the FATF grey list despite completing actions on its action plan comprising 34 items.

Pakistani political leadership has been immature and has downplayed the diplomats’ efforts to keep Pakistan relevant. Unfortunately, the narrative being built by the political leaders that Pakistan has submitted to the U.S. demands and has compromised its sovereignty did sell among the masses as popular rhetoric. However, it cost us a lot in financial and diplomatic terms. The threat of economic default still looms large as the international institutions have pulled themselves away from rescuing Pakistan at least for the time being. The rhetoric of the US and West could have been sustained provided we were economically on our feet.

Sovereignty is a relative term, especially in a globalized world. No state in the world can remain 100% sovereign. It is a kind of chess game in which actors make deliberate and calculated withdrawals so that they make a larger leap into the future. Popular anti-American slogans have been preferred for vested political gains. On the diplomatic front too, damages can be clearly seen. Pakistan was not invited by its friends China and Russia to the BRICS-Plus Summit as both were not happy with our jerky changes in established and committed foreign policy stance. Pakistan is concerned about Indian successes at the diplomatic level, including increased influence and relevance in the geo-strategic realm. For instance, Indian inclusion in Indo-Pacific Policy, QUAD, I2U2 and the recently culminated 2+2 meetings are sources of concern for Pakistan. An unstable Afghanistan along our Western border and non-recognition of the Taliban government due to international pressure is gradually converting into two-front threats for Pakistan. The TTP-led terrorist attacks and the organization’s resurgence are being seen with concern and might undermine the claim of winning the global war on terror. Similarly, Iran remains sceptical of Pakistan’s position and looks for more constructive engagements with India.

What is the way forward in Pakistan’s foreign policy directions and choices? Pakistan must have a consensus-based economy and a foreign policy in which national interests are clearly listed. The policy should have constitutional cover and must not be changed irrespective of any political government. Pakistan will have to avoid camp politics and try to remain non-aligned. We should be partners in peace only and not wars. We must not be sending our troops to fight others’ wars.

Pakistan must engage with its neighbours, including India. It can follow the Chinese approach. India sees China as the biggest threat and still it has a mutual trade volume of almost 125 billion USD. Pakistan too can engage and trade for the betterment of its citizens. Engagement circumvents misperceptions and avoids hostilities. Isolation is no option for Pakistan. It can also have gas and energy corridors with China, Iran and India.

Pakistan must establish positions as per international norms. Recently, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while addressing the passing out parade at Royal Military Academy, U.K., talked of global commons, i.e. keeping the long-term sustainability of Outer Space, High Seas, Antarctica and the Environment. He also categorically mentioned that the armed forces should avoid wars. The stance sufficiently provides a launching pad for the diplomats to build on Pakistan’s image as a peace-loving nation and not one which exports terrorism.

Pakistan needs a consistent foreign policy direction devised according to well-deliberated and thought-out national interests that must be people-centric and not security-dominated. Political maturity and seriousness should remain central to a concrete foreign policy.