Daily Times

The Trump doctrine has been aired. The first two prompt responses came from China and the Pakistani COAS. China quickly jumped to Pakistan’s defence and lauded our contributions to the war against terrorism. The army chief was blunter. He was quite categorical in rejecting ‘assistance’ and seeking only ‘trust’. Russia was not too far behind in supporting Pakistan.

The fact that this, the first domestic response came from the military is indicative of our ineffective democratic structure. The lamentable tragedy that the American Ambassador first sought out our army chief for a response clearly shows how aware the world is of our frail democratic system.

This time round, the entire nation again seems united and opposed to the Trump diatribe. Even the usually level headed Raza Rabbani, Chairman Senate saw fit to immediately pick up the gauntlet and Imran Khan too found his voice.

It was reassuring to learn of the belated response of the National Security Committee. An aggressive, united, and national response was the need of the hour. One that would serve to assuage peoples’ fears, including those expressed by those such as I, in my piece on Wednesday. That it was one that put Washington and Kabul on notice was icing on the cake.

However, these comments and reassurances are not the stuff policies are built on. Options for a fresh national foreign policy are to be debated in parliament after a very long time. It needs be pointed out that it is not merely ‘foreign policy’ that needs reappraisal but, a fresh foreign policy, from a position of slightly greater strength, we need to review our domestic and economic policies. And foremost, we need to return to a status where injustice does not prevail.

I suggest, therefore, I strongly suggest that all those involved in reviewing national policies, including parliamentarians, senators, including the well-respected Raza Rabbani take a deep breath and a step back to look at the whole picture more dispassionately.

We are in the process of swiftly mortgaging our country to China. We cannot afford to merely exchange masters; from US to China. The Chinese may seem the more benign of the available options but, it doesn’t take long for established masters to turn arrogant too

I am fully conscious of how justified are our numerous complaints against the US. I am also fully conscious of the despicable arrogance US is capable of, and of the equally despicable unctuousness some of our leaders have frequently displayed. Which is why a unified and aggressive response is so much the need of this hour. But that, by no ways means that some of the US complaints are not justified; nor that a self-reappraisal is imperative.

The greatest concern in reviewing foreign policy is the possible direction it might take. The first natural reaction could be in even greater reliance on China and, perhaps Russia. But this has its own enormous dangers.

I have repeatedly voiced my concerns on CPEC and the fact that we are in the process of swiftly mortgaging our country to China. We cannot afford to merely exchange masters; from US to China. The Chinese may seem the more benign of the available options but, it doesn’t take long for established masters to turn arrogant too.

And, please recall, when we decided to ally ourselves with the US, its leadership was almost fawningly benign. Pakistani delegates were feted and dined like royalty. Today, they are made to wait, hoping to shake the hand of the master in Washington.

That’s not all. Our foreign policy must review our regional options, including the Greater Middle East. Perhaps the best option is Iran. Washington’s singling Iran out, just like it has done us, makes it a natural ally. Not only is it a neighbour, desperately seeking access to CPEC. China is seeking Iranian oil and Iran is desperate to provide it.

A policy decision like that, has its own ramifications. It will upset the US but, far more will it upset Israel, the Saudis and the UAE. On the other hand, it could neutralize the Tehran-card that India holds over us and, since Iran is the only other neighbour that could provide Kabul access to the seas, it will probably cause Afghanistan to reconsider its anti-Pakistan position. And, that could automatically reduce Indian influence in Kabul.

We need to drastically reduce our economic and psycho-religious dependence on the Saudis. Saudis have done us, and this region, far greater damage than the US or even India. It has corrupted our religion and helped destroy whatever semblance of unity that had emerged in the 1960s. I can’t recall when we first became conscious of the fact that the world has become ‘a global village’. If that be so, the world is our domain. If we are indeed the critical link in CPEC and the rim-land to the hinterland of Eurasia; if CPEC will join us to Europe, then look beyond the immediate.

Think of Africa, Europe, Down Under — Australia. I repeat myself again. Foreign policies must seek as much diversity as possible. The greater the number of our allies, the stronger we are internationally. And, best way to cement alliances, is to offer the allies a stake in our country. This will also serve to reduce China’s stranglehold of a monopoly in Pakistan.

So everybody; just take a deep breath, please.

The writer is a retired brigadier. He is also former vice president and founder of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)

Published in Daily Times, August 27^th 2017.