Managing foreign relations

The recent border incursion by Iran and Pakistan’s retaliatory measure understandably raised serious concerns. Subsequent mature handling of the situation at the diplomatic level and their resolve to deal with militancy on their borders through mutual cooperation did contribute to easing tensions. Neither country would like to open an additional front when they are already facing threats and hostile pressure from major powers and other neighbours. And there is much to gain by Pakistan and Iran in jointly addressing challenges posed by militant organisations and elements engaged in smuggling and human trafficking and promoting religious fanaticism. The border between the two countries is porous and extensive which makes exercising strict control and establishing the writ of the state difficult. It is common occurrence that Pakistan’s terrorist groups — Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) — take refuge in Iran and its militants find sanctuaries in Pakistan’s province of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. If the two countries fail to fully cooperate and coordinate their vigilance, the people on both sides suffer and the primary beneficiary are the militants.

Considering that shortcomings in cooperation with neighbours, apart from aggravating the security situation in the region, have wider ramifications, they need to be addressed seriously. It adversely affects promotion of trade and regional cooperation and facilitates anti-state elements on both sides of the border to relatively freely engage in smuggling, narcotics and various other nefarious activities. In essence Pakistan’s hostile relations with India and the presence of antagonistic elements in Afghanistan require sophisticated handling and effective control over borders.

The recent accord between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a welcome development for the Muslim world. It is likely to have a salutary impact on Shia-Sunni relations in the Muslim majority countries that have significant minorities of either sect such as Pakistan, Yemen and certain Central Asian states. Pakistan has, according to rough estimates, 80% Sunnis and 20% Shias and Yemen has 65% Sunnis and 35% Shias.

India was only hoping that the Pakistan-Iran border flare up take up a more serious turn. For the US it would have distracted Iran from supporting Hamas and standing firmly behind the integrity of the Palestinian state. The recent rapprochement and ease of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia would have received a setback. Perhaps the real beneficiaries of any unfortunate rupture of relations between Iran and Pakistan would have been Israel and those power groups that desire divisions and weakening of the Ummah.

Moreover, any conflict in the region involving oil producing countries has global economic and strategic implications. Oil prices would have escalated triggering a negative dynamic affecting vulnerable economies like ours. Trade talks that were going on between Iran and Pakistan have been called off and are expected to be resumed soon, unless they would wait for the next government in Pakistan to assume office after elections.

The relations of Pakistan with Afghanistan are in a state of suspended animation. The interim government had left it to the army leadership to deal with security issues arising from cross-border attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, mostly by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan residing in Afghanistan. The recent decision by the government to repatriate thousands of Afghan refugees in a short period has not been well received by the Taliban leadership. It is possible that serious security considerations were the rationale for repatriating the refugees. For otherwise Pakistan government and people have been traditionally very accommodative to Afghan refugees for years and would not like to lose their goodwill. There is concern that Afghan women and girls who, having lived in Pakistan for years, will have to abide by the strict code of covering themselves and remaining confined to their homes — more damaging with long-term effects that the girls would be denied their fundamental right to education.

Change of rules for entry at the Pak-Afghan border at a short notice by the interim government has disrupted trade and movement of people. It is expected that after elections the incoming government in close coordination with the army leadership will review and revise cross-border traffic regulations. A high priority issue would be to impress upon the Taliban government to exercise effective control over militant outfits especially the TTP and Islamic Jihad that are engaged in cross-border attacks. In order for Afghanistan and Pakistan to establish full control over their borders, it is necessary that the Taliban government ensure that militant elements do not operate freely transgressing international rules of respecting the sanctity of borders. This is not only the concern of Pakistan but of China and the Central Asian states too. These corrective measures, if undertaken seriously by Afghanistan, would contribute to normalising relations with its neighbours and give its people the freedom to actualise their potential.

No country is destined to remain underdeveloped and lagging behind. China’s remarkable transformation in the last forty years proved how nations can change from poverty to a better living standards and Indian leadership is aiming and moving in the direction of giving its people a better future. The elections provide us an opportunity to vote for leaders and political parties that are relatively more competent and dedicated in fulfilling the people’s valid aspirations.

The key or central benefit that we should draw from our close strategic location and economic relationship with allies is to focus on betterment of the lives of the people through pursuing sound economic policies and good governance. Applying stringent measures to curb corruption and reduce poverty should be high priority. For that voting for candidates and parties that are promoting these values is necessary.

The influence of any country’s foreign policy can go only that far. Pakistan will be better served if its leaders work toward strengthening its institutions, improving the economy and concentrate on the well-being of its people. Mere promises by political leadership will not satisfy the people. They have gone through these fake undertakings by the politicians and others. The internal dissensions and shallow leadership are as much a danger to the country as external threats. In this context in the incoming elections the choice of candidates to vote for and the party that comes to power will be crucial in piloting the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2024.

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