Overstated foreign policy

Letter July 06, 2020
Over the years Pakistan’s foreign policy goals have remained consistent

Over the years Pakistan’s foreign policy goals have remained consistent. It is because of our security dilemmas coupled with the tyranny of power in Pakistan’s volatile backyard that foreign policy objectives of the country remain compromised. Even though Pakistan’s geostrategic location is favourable with respect to its economic development and the increased cooperation it has with China on CPEC, it still battles to sustain its positive narrative in the international community.

Pakistan has learnt hard lessons from history and the current foreign policy dynamics shift towards abstaining from placing all eggs in one basket. This means that it has revitalised its relationship with the US and strengthened its ties with China and Russia while maintaining a balanced middle-eastern foreign policy. However, Pakistan’s woes have not been totally resolved. If the current situation be our guide, we will see that Pakistan is unable to gather significant support on its narrative on Kashmir, particularly from US and OIC, which has become evident from the fact that the year-long lockdown imposed in the disputed valley remains unabated even during this pandemic crisis.

Pakistan’s positive response in initiating an honorable exit for US through the Afghan deal has reaped no rewards. It still struggles with the IMF Structural Adjustment Program while the FAFT’s sword looms over us. Furthermore, while the US State Department reports that, “Pakistan continued to serve as safe haven for certain regional focus terrorist groups”, India remains unanswerable for its fascist policies. Pakistan’s foreign policy successes remain a myth and little overstated.

Hadia Mukhtar

Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2, 2020.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.