Daily Times

Pakistan’s foreign policy has remained a casualty of raging politics for far too long. In desperation to win the favour of the support base, political leaders swing like a pendulum between their self-serving crusade against the rest of the world and the pressures of the economic realities. Therefore, when the man on horseback of a political party assumed to shine through the upcoming elections stresses the need to mend ties with the immediate neighbourhood, the refreshing return of sanity calls for celebrations.

As per a multi-million dollar question asked by Nawaz Sharif, ” how can you achieve a global status when your neighbours are upset with you?” The recent years have seen our goals for key relationships reduced to a series of ad hoc responses to regional and global developments. Islamabad’s expectations from the return of the Taliban in Kabul were grossly miscalculated. Instead of a secured Western border, Pakistan faces mounting concerns over cross-border attacks and the continuing under-the-table support to its biggest enemy, outlawed TTP.

If Mr Sharif is to be believed, his party intends to come to power with a new plan to bring Afghanistan back to the deliberations table. Perhaps, a cocktail of appeasement, backdoor diplomacy and confrontation might ensure Kabul holds its part of the bargain and responds to the prevailing security risks.

He has more than enough successes to boast about his ability to hammer out a cordial relationship on the eastern front. But while previous prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi might have paid peace a visit during PML(N)’s tenures, a lot appears changed in New Delhi.

With former dialogue and trade suspended and relations plunged to rock-bottom in the wake of the illegal absorption of occupied Kashmir’s special status, cobbling together an alliance or even normalisation would not be akin to walking in a rosy park.

The noble intent of moving beyond isolationism can be appreciated, but whichever party manages to climb to the throne would have to painstakingly produce a viable outreach plan to undo the past blunders. Moving mountains and boiling oceans are easier said than done. *