Our upfront foreign policy

Pakistan’s independent foreign policy is being widely lauded. First time ever, Pakistan is being seen as a true leader of the Islamic World and a responsible state with a vision to address multi-lateral issues. For instance, the way Prime Minister Imran Khan projected the case of Kashmir at UNGA is unprecedented and impressive. His speech not only internationalised the longstanding dispute but also made the world leaders recognise the urgency to settle it lest it’s too late. Similarly, the PM’s efforts to globalise the issue of Islamophobia have attracted international attention and the western world is rejecting the equating of Muslims with terrorists.

Acknowledging statements on Islamophobia by the top leadership of Canada and Russia, besides others, bear testimony to the claim. It also goes to the credit of the current diplomatic core of Pakistan that blasphemous acts – carried out in the name of freedom of speech – are now being denounced at the global level. The scheduled OIC’s Foreign Ministers meeting and the SAARC Conference held in the country after a long hiatus are reflection of the restoration of international confidence in Pakistan.

Moreover, the world has also acknowledged the constructive role played by Pakistan through result-oriented negotiations with the Taliban that paved the way for a safe withdrawal of the US-led NATO forces from Afghanistan.

Most importantly, the brave stance adopted by a Pakistan PM – when saying ‘absolutely not’ to a demand from the world’s sole superpower for military bases to keep an eye on Afghanistan – is unprecedented. Never before had Pakistan taken such a clear position against US interests. Pakistan also made it loud and clear that it can only be a partner in efforts for peace and not mercenaries to fight US wars. Such a clear-headed foreign policy stance also lifted a sense of ‘Pakistaniat’ among the people – a proud sense of being a sovereign nation. Similarly, at a recent public gathering, PM Imran openly rejected a letter written by the envoys of 22 European countries urging Pakistan to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine. It is by all standards a manifestation of Pakistan’s bold and independent foreign policy which is the basic right of any state to make sovereign decisions in commensuration with its own national and strategic interests.

On the flip side though, such bold stance is bound to hit a slippery slope. While such straight positions do appeal to the domestic audience, they don’t gel with the international diplomatic norms. These bold positions have hidden costs, at times carrying crippling consequences.

This does not, however, mean that Pakistan should have submitted to the US will and handed over military bases or should have immediately condemned Russia on the EU demand for its aggression against Ukraine. This is just to insist that bilateral sensitivities are not supposed to be revealed in public. Doing so can be detrimental to the economic and political interests of the country. For instance, the US and EU are among the major markets of Pakistani export goods. Criticising a country publically can shift the trade in our rivals’ favour and may affect our economic growth. Such candid statements cannot be called an intelligent move and a damage-control effort might take considerable time. The same position could have been taken at relevant forums and appropriately conveyed to the concerned while keeping the doors open for further engagements with trust and confidence. Harshness, unnecessary openness and arrogance are the three least desired elements in any diplomatic maneuver.

Let it be known that the core objectives of the foreign policy of a state are two fold – to protect the vital foreign and domestic interests of its citizens; and, to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state. Anything that affects any of these two elements is to be avoided at all costs. In an interconnected world, global trends and norms are to be followed in foreign policy formulation and affiliations with any narratives peddled by international political blocs need to be avoided. In other words, non-alignment is the most suitable course to take in any evolving global situation.

It is also a known fact that foreign policy pivots around constructive engagement. An outright rejection can prove detrimental in pursuit of foreign policy objectives. It doesn’t, however, mean that core foreign policy objectives – those relating to the sovereignty of a country – should be compromised. In fact, it implies that diplomatic maneuvers are like calculated chess maneuvers in which minimal losses are traded for larger gains in foreseeable future. Diplomatic engagements serve as confidence building measures and must never be given up on. Pakistan’s independent and sovereign foreign policy has already won laurels and served to build a positive global image of Pakistan being a responsible country. The world leaders are seeking Pakistan’s substantive and constructive engagement to address issues affecting peace and security across the globe which had been lacking previously.

The sovereign foreign policy of Pakistan needs to be further strengthened by adding an element of inclusiveness at the domestic level. The impression being given by the opposition parties of not being consulted before formalising a policy position on international issues must be curbed. The standing committees of foreign affairs, having representation from all political parties, should be galvanised in order to prepare viable recommendations for holistic foreign policy positions. The same can be further strengthened by giving it a parliamentary cover.

Last but not least, there is need to avoid inflexible positions on foreign policy matters, and keep the doors for constructive engagement open so as to stay relevant at the international level.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2022.

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