Our politicians must not hoodwink the people in the name of APCs and joint sessions of parliament
ISLAMABAD: Changes in foreign policy play a dominant role in the destiny of a country. Our foreign policy has been frozen since 1949 with the ill-advised visit of Liaquat Ali Khan to Washington. Many opportunities sprang up over the course of history when Pakistan could have fruitfully reviewed its relations with the rest of the world. Other regions, including the European Union, the Asean states, and India and China have periodically changed the course of their international relations to fit them into the spirit of the times. Pakistan’s foreign policy has contributed to the incremental decay of our state and society besides leading the country towards avoidable tragedies.
Our politicians must not hoodwink the people in the name of APCs and joint sessions of parliament. Nothing will come out of such gimmicks. Any debate within the framework of an outdated policy will prove to be redundant and will be a futile exercise. My advice, arrogantly and scornfully dismissed during my ruthlessly victimised quarter-century stint at the Foreign Office, is still available. My passion to call a spade a spade remains relevant and alive as ever.
Ambassador B A Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2015.
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