Are we finally witnessing the beginning of a change? Could it be possible that the Pakistan government is formulating a foreign policy? It is my view that the last time we had national policies was in the early days of Ayub Khan, since then we seem to be rudderless, ‘firefighting’ on a day-to-day basis!
Policy formulation is a complicated business and foreign policy is perhaps the most difficult of all policies to flesh out since it involves relations with other countries; each of which have their own policies. The essential ingredient is to seek common interests and/or possible flashpoints; capitalising on the former and negotiating the latter with each country that is involved in the policy. An obvious compulsion is that of geography. Ideally speaking, any nation at peace with its neighbours can concentrate on developing human resources. In the event of a threat, monies diverted to combatting the threat are at the cost of providing economic/human/social security.
Currently, the threat from violence to Pakistan comes from within as well as from across our western borders. While Pakistan-US relations have always been rocky and unstable, it has recently become obvious that an increasing number of our interests were becoming divergent; which by no stretch of imagination intends to imply that none converge. Perhaps it has become necessary for Pakistan to formulate a foreign policy that will, in time, end our long (tried-and-frequently-failed) policy of total US dependence.
There are two indicators that the government is finally looking at other options. While Iran desperately needs to export energy, the US, being equally desperate, wants to prevent anything that might make Iran economically better off. Consequently, President Zardari’s recent visits to Tehran; and the finalisation of the much delayed gas pipeline are a positive step in a direction that might make us less US-dependent.
Similarly, before the US announced its suspension of military aid, General Kayani’s announcement that all future US aid for the military should be diverted to the public sector indicated that he had foreseen the policy of aid suspension. Simultaneously, we are witnessing a more proactive effort, both by the military and the government, to improve relations with India and Afghanistan.
There has been considerable speculation regarding the hastily scheduled visit of the ISI chief to the US. Anti-American elements state that General Pasha is going to read the CIA the riot act, even threaten to close the Nato supply route! Professional ‘army/ISI bashers’ say that he is going to beg for resumption of aid, and then there are numerous views that lie between the two.
My view is that General Pasha’s visit was merely to establish intelligence-sharing procedures and activities under freshly redefined parameters. Now that Pakistan has indicated that it will defend its national interests when they diverge with those of the US, and the US attempt to pressurise Pakistan by suspending military aid has not succeeded, his visit merely sought corridors where our interests still converge.
If my assessment regarding the drafting of a foreign policy direction is correct, I hope that the next step will be a comprehensive domestic security policy which addresses all issues relating to our human capital.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2011.
COMMENTS (13)
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In most countries of the world foreign policy is subservient to the demands of domestic policy. In Pakistan it has always been the opposite. We fund the army and not the police or judicial system. We fund madrassahs to fight foreign wars but not schools to train a domestic workforce. Pakistan needs to give up on foreign policy for a generation on the Turkish model. Turkey gave up being internationally assertive for nearly a century. Now that it has emerged as a unified and economically powerful nation (17th largest economy in the world) it is once again expanding its regional influence. We will do well to learn that houses built on foundations of clay inevitably collapse.
To me it appears Pakistan has a 'foreign' policy. High time it made a indigenous one too.
First, have a strong domestic policy.
Draw up a set of action programme, such as, improve the arable region, increase power generation by 15 per cent, reduce water scarcity, subsidise housing for the poor, 50 medical universities in 5 years....
Then, find means to bring these programmes to fruition. After this, Foreign policy, should be aligned to the above objectives. Nowadays, it is the other way round...
First ,Pakistani ruling parties need to be NATIONAL, then they might be able to understand the national intrests. Up till now, they have eroded national and international security. They have plundred money and never bother about nation's suffering and pain. Simply crying over the stppage of US aid is non sense. All countryies have the right to maintain ,or not, relations with other states. By the way PAK-US relations always based on hoax and staggered with vily wishes. All intellectuals need to show the the right path,they do not know what is foreign policy , thay just know what is relation? Hold talks with secretries,foreign minsierts or just spending money on visits is not foreighn policy.They must have to read books on foreign policies, and this is no harm to do that.
Keep searching. 64 years is to short on a time scale. One can take heart from the fact that Burundi or say, Sudan hasn't fount one yet.
Every crime in Pakistan is committed in the supreme national interest. Greater the crime, greater the national interest claimed to be protected. Given the number of crimes committed in last 60 years, Pakistan's national interest must be the most protected and secure entity in the world !
I was intrigued by Mr. Qadir's observation that in his view the last time we had national policies was in the early days of Ayub Khan, since then we seem to be rudderless, ‘firefighting’ on a day-to-day basis! This only reflects the military mindset that idolize Ayub Khan. It was Bhutto who changed the course of Pak foreign policy first under Ayub and then when he was at helm of affairs. For his flawed conduct in domestic affairs, Bhutto was past master in foreign affairs. Under him we diversified foreign policy options and reached out to China and Soviet Union during Ayub era. When in power himself he further deepened relations with China and Islamic world. That was the lastbtime we had a foreign policy. Under ZIA the GHQ formulated it and it has persisted with it since till to date..
Brig. sahib, I would like to bring up a couple of points and it is with all due respects, and not to question your professionalism, you understanding of the subject matter, or your expertise as a veteran soldier. I concur with you that General Pasha’s visit to the United States was, perhaps, more for professional purposes than resolving the foreign policy issues. The foreign policy making, as you mention, is a very complicated process and involves several variables including the national interests, strategic/geographic location of the country, availability of resources (both natural and man-made), political stability, determined and visionary leadership, an educated and articulate public support are just a few of the ingredients. I will not go into the details but regime stability, internal cohesion, and a large body of technocrats with substantial knowledge and understanding is equally essential. Pakistan unfortunately lacks all of the above. We lack national cohesion, precision of our goals, and leadership with a clear vision for better tomorrow (and I blame both civilian and military leadership and from the formative years of Pakistan to this day). Adding insult to the injury is the religious fervor of our populace, and abject poverty of ideas.
I think a foreign policy can evolve if there is truth-telling from your generation sir. Why is it that Pakistan is at odds with its neighbours. Are you prepared to reveal to the people the extent to which the nation's leaders including Ayub Khan lied during the 1965 war with India. Even today, when I watch a supposedly learned Moeed Pirzada and two co-moderators speak of India's intransigence and the so-called constipated Indian bureaucracy I see an unwillingness to address the truth. Surely your generation owes the nation this much - the truth.
Foreign policy is a reflection of inner strength. In the end, it’s all about a stable political system which can deliver on the economic front and bring security and welfare to the people. If the state decides to nurture private militias in the 21st century, then it’s a failure of common sense rather than foreign policy.
Sir, as patriots, we would like to believe or see, that the Pakistani leadership, inclusive of the army, has nothing but the best interest of Pakistan at hand and that, possibly, their personal interests are somewhat unprecedentedly entwined with those of Pakistan; however that, in all honesty and keeping in mind the history and the progression of leaders and their policies in Pakistan, might as well be a case of wishful thinking on our part.
The army's efficiency and efficacy has come under some severe scrutiny and their recent performances do not exactly imbue me with confidence. The civilian leadership may well have been shocked into a self-appraisal but old habits without any moral qualms take forever to die away. As such, it may be premature of us to believe that somehow we've turned a corner and come up with a bona fide foreign policy even in the light of existentialist threats. We are a very resilient nation brimming with craftiness, especially when we're asked to do the decent thing; and our leaders are on the top because they're the best at that game. So in a nut shell : Dream on..sir, Dream on.
I wonder what is national interest all about. I mean there has been much saying that our national interest is in danger or eroding due to our rotten, orthodox and old decade policies. Pardon my word, I have been reading English as well Urdu newspaper for over five years, but astonishingly, no writer spare his/her time to throw some light on what is national interest all about? The above writer is of the view that Pakistan need a fresh foreign as well as domestic policy to get rid of terrorism. Nowadays, intellectuals is very busy in writing about the ills of our society, unfortunately they don't have a little time to give us a sound well devised policy. Ironically, this is a dilemma in which we all are mired in. Everybody has enough time to sling mud on each other, our impatience brought us here where we have very little time get ourselves out of this quagmire.