Pakistan needs to strengthen its renewed relationship with the US
KARACHI: In these turbulent and uncertain times, Pakistan struggles to keep its backyard peaceful because of its foreign policy challenges. The pandemic has infused disorder in the international landscape, which was already volatile due to continuous trade and technological wars.
As the deadly virus continues to take a toll on societies and economies around the world, tensions specifically between the US and China continue to mount. Pakistan, on the other hand, is left to battle on four key foreign policy areas: navigating its stance on the US-China confrontation, adopting a balanced Middle Eastern foreign policy, administrating its relations with India at the backdrop of India’s draconian designs in Kashmir, and advocating a peace deal in Afghanistan.
It is undeniable that Pakistan’s strategic future lies in allying with China on the CPEC venture since it cannot ignore the fact that a vicious neighbour stands on the eastern side. Pakistan needs to strengthen its renewed relationship with the US, which has been plagued by a disturbing past. It is important that we learn from previous mistakes and refrain from placing all eggs in one basket. This means that even amid this pandemic situation when great powers such as the US are pitching its containment policy and India is emerging as a regional giant, Pakistan needs to make its choices wisely.
By pushing the boundaries at the international level, reaching out to platforms such as OIC and the UN, and synergising its geostrategic location, Pakistan can show that it is no less than any other developing nation. Remaining adamant as to a peaceful Afghanistan and promoting a neutral Middle Eastern policy is the need of the hour.
Hadia Mukhtar
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2020.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
