Daily Times

Deviating from the status quo in Pakistan’s foreign policy is a tough ask. Especially amidst internal pressures, distractions, external obligations and compulsions that need no introduction. It is the question of our state extending a genuine olive branch to our antagonists with dignity and honour. It requires a great deal of skill and acumen in the diplomatic arts. A tough ask indeed!

With all thy faults, we cannot ignore thee still! India; you primordial rival of Pakistan! Our habits of drowning one another in obnoxious propaganda, one lethal conspiracy after and other; needs to be addressed through exemplary statesmanship by both countries. With both India and Pakistan being nuclear powers, the balance of power is better termed as the balance of terror between the two names. Hence it is imperative to remember that that consultation rather than confrontation will remain the viable key in resolving the outstanding bilateral issues.

Pakistani media and foreign policy must work together with winning insights and initiatives to gauge and respond to India ripping human rights apart in Kashmir, conspiring to present Pakistan as a terrorist state, hiding its sabotage and subversion in Pakistan, threatening to aggravate Pakistan’s water problems through violating the Indus Waters Treaty, disrupting the potential of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), plotting in vain to keep Pakistan out of international sports and so on.

The future of Pakistan’s foreign policy must be tackled with astute statesmanship, winning art, skill and acumen. Specifically regarding the US whims and fancies which are creating constant pains for us. From the extradition of Afia Salam to Pakistan, to the US economic and military aid that comes with strings attached, to their manipulating the World Bank and IMF in altering bailouts for Pakistan- the US has never been so difficult to manage for any Pakistani government

The future of Pakistan’s foreign policy must be tackled with astute statesmanship, winning art, skill and acumen. Specifically regarding the US whims and fancies which are creating constant pains for us. From the extradition of Afia Salam to Pakistan, to the US economic and military aid that comes with strings attached, to their manipulating the World Bank and IMF in altering bailouts for Pakistan- the US has never been so difficult to manage for any Pakistani government.

Moreover to be competently fostered are Pakistan’s priority relations with the Ummah, its indomitable bonds of fraternity with Saudi Arabia and Iran, its all-time special links with Turkey, its all-weather and time-tested ties with China, its growing relations with Russia, European Union, the Scandinavian countries, Japan etc.

Amid ingenuity in foreign policy when institutions like IoBM learn global affiliations and accreditations from world accrediting bodies such as Ed Universal, Erasmus Mundus and others innovative provisions in coordination with the HEC may enable and enhance interaction with concerned international organizations.

Most importantly however is for Pakistanis involved in the Foreign Service to realise that complacency, ego, vanity and procrastination have no room in the life of a diplomat. Moreover they must remember to project their national image with humility and dignity. It is a test of astute statesmanship and ambassadorial acumen that has to be passed with pertinent insights and initiatives by those on the helm of the Foreign Service of Pakistan.

The writer is the HoD and Senior Faculty of Public Affairs, at IoBM, Karachi. He can be contacted at parvez@iobm,edu,pk

Published in Daily Times, August 29^th 2018.