Apparently, Pakistan is moving along apositive trajectory in the aftermath of the recent elections. Moreover it has successfully completed its third democratic transition between elected governments. Despite the ever increasing suspicion and negative prophecies, Pakistan has ushered in a new era of optimism and a range of expectations. Many say that it was upon the shoulders of our disgruntled unemployed youth that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) managed to sweep the elections. Now that the elections are over and Imran Khan has selected his ‘gems’ aka his cabinet members- haunting new challenges await the newly sworn in government. One of the major challenges for the new government will be Pakistan’s fragile standing in the international community and its isolationist foreign policy.
Pakistan is surrounded by countries pivotal to the global politics of the 21st century. The significance of China, Afghanistan, Iran and India make Pakistan a key player in the game of global politics. The new government in Islamabad needs to respond to these challenges befittingly. In order to formulate a successful foreign policy, all elements of national power, explained by Hans J. Morgenthau in his masterpiece; “Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace”, must be utilized effectively. The newly incumbent government should calculate all its strengths and weaknesses in its foreign policy making. Moreover we must remember that Pakistan has enormously powerful tools in its arsenal to attract the regional and global community.
According to Robert D. Kaplan, the geographical location of any country determines its positioning in the comity of nations. As he argued in “The Revenge of Geography”: those who forget geography can never defeat it. If Pakistan meticulously exploits its geographical stationing, it can manage relations with regional countries like China, India, Afghanistan and Iran to benefit mutually. The second most significant element of the national power of any country is its natural resources. We have tremendously rich natural resources, which are yet to be tapped into. The government should exploit these resources vis-à-vis regional countries.
If Imran Khan wants to be remembered as a great leader in the pages of history, he needs to take deft measures towards stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan and India share a longstanding history of confrontation and distrust. The change in political leadership is offering both the countries a new impetus for envisioning a shared dream. The arrival of the Indian Cricketer-cum-politician, Navjot Singh Sidhu, in the oath taking ceremony of the Prime Minister and subsequent response by the Pakistani people has sent positive vibes across the border. Navjot Singh Sidhu even suggested a cricket match between the winners of Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League, during his visit.
Similarly peace and prosperity in Pakistan and Afghanistan are interconnected. The government should defuse the tensions and resolve bilateral issues at the earliest. While understanding the demographic composition of Afghanistan; its ambitions and suspicions, Pakistan should work for a peaceful resolution to the Afghan fiasco. Above all, Pakistan can utilize Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE and greater Middle Eastern region to its advantage. It was Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who brought the Middle Eastern Princes’ and Kings on one table through his skillful diplomacy. If Imran Khan wants to be remembered as a great leader in the pages of history, he needs to take deft measures towards stability in Afghanistan.
Moreover Pakistan cannot afford to jump around America, China, Russia and Europe for that matter. By using its strong national character and quality of diplomacy, Pakistan can deal with these major powers with vigor and self-respect. The United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is expected to be the first foreign dignitary to visit and meet the new PM of Pakistan. This is an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings and bridge the differences between the two countries. The new government needs not only to diversify its foreign policy outreach and bring new actors in its fold but also stand by its previous commitments to major powers. Our government needs to defend its foreign policy objectives vis-à-vis major countries through effective diplomacy.
Pakistan is the sixth largest country in terms of population, which is also an element of national power if used meritoriously. The government can use its diaspora and young population to establish its soft image worldwide and achieve its foreign policy agendas. The entire Central Asian Republics (CARs) is a huge but untapped market to extract resources from and export finished products from Pakistan to.
In order to formulate a comprehensive foreign policy, it is imperative to understand the preferences of adversaries and allies at the same time. The government needs to decode and unearth the intentions and ambitions of regional and extra-regional countries.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan made a brilliant speech after taking office on August 19, 2018. He has also made some hopeful promises. As the saying goes, hope sees the invisible and conquers the impossible. A legal maxim called “Pacta Sunt Servanda” says that, agreements or promises are meant to be fulfilled. We, as a nation, will keep an eye on all those optimistic and dynamic promises with the expectation of their fulfillment.
Amjad Ali is an attorney at law, he also teaches constitutional law and principles of political science at Quaid-e-Azam University.
Published in Daily Times, August 25th 2018.