The changing geostrategic Situation warrants that Pakistan must align its Foreign Policy suiting its national interests so that the soft image of Pakistan could be projected worldwide.
So far, Pakistan has done a tremendous job in projecting the positive image and the world including Pakistan’s old ally the US has realized that without Pakistan’s help, it cannot get rid of the Afghan conflict; and it is considering the political solution to the Afghan mess since war tactics have failed miserably given the unstable circumstances of law and order in Afghanistan despite the passage of 17 years of War on terror for so-called quest for regime change.
With the changing world order going from bipolar to multipolar, it could be estimated that After US, Russia, UK, Germany, France, Italy, the new strong powers are born such as the Asian tiger China who have taken the world with great.
On the other hand, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has also created a possibility of hybrid war since it is aimed at bringing the economic boom in Pakistan by creating a road and rail network,; Coal powered Energy Projects, Hydel and Energy projects and solar energy projects.
The recent activism of Russia and China playing the role for talks with Taliban has borne fruit and Pakistan played a meaningful and constructive role in bringing the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table and paved the way for US withdrawal.
The Multipolar status of the world has weakened the world powers and has changed their behaviours from aggressiveness to defensiveness or passiveness.
Furthermore, if we analyze the role of past Super Powers i.e the Soviet Union a, we know that it has helped in use of chemical weapons in Syria and the crisis has become very serious since the civilians were targeted that resulted in the loss of civilian lives and destruction of Infrastructure and houses of the people. Even, Russia had also tried to impose its hegemony in Ukraine It is arguable that how China and Russia may justify this new world order where Americans still mistakenly consider this world as unipolar and continue their influential and aggressive role unabated. The collapse of the Soviet Union might have created the possibility of a multipolar world with more superpowers making their entry into the power pool despite the existence of earlier players.
The great nations cannot impose their hegemonic doctrines on the basis of military might or economic boom or high GDP growth but they set examples for the world nations to follow.
The great nations inspire the world with their development, not oppression and repression. Great nations like Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have achieved their recognition through innovative education systems and knowledge-driven Economy.
Pakistan’s soft image has been appreciated across the globe, especially by regional players like Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China
But regrettably, the British and The US have carried aggressive and oppressive policies towards the world nations that is why they are facing isolation in the world. The British exit from the Eurozone has crippled its economy owing to repeated failures in the Brexit Deal.
On the contrary, Pakistan has done a lot than expected since Pakistan has conducted various Military Operations against the so-called Taliban, militants and terrorists. Pakistan is already under the heavy influx of Afghan refugees that have affected the law and order situation in Pakistan and economy, especially in Karachi the situation has become worse due to criminal activities of these Afghan refugees.
Despite having the longest border with Afghanistan, it is very difficult to monitor the border and beefing up the security arrangements. Several Pakistani soldiers lost their lives due to suicide blasts during checking of the suspected people entering Pakistani territory.
The US ties with Saudi Arabia are also getting tense after the death of Washington Post Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
After much aggression, it is apparent the US wouldn’t like to distance itself from Saudi Arabia on this issue.
On the other hand, China an emerging and influential player in the new world order has already done the spadework and has implemented its BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) which also includes multibillion CPEC Project in Pakistan and despite rising pressure and opposition from the US, China’s Belt and Road Initiative is probably not going to be affected.
The multipolarity of the world has forced US president Donald Trump to change his stance and engage with Pakistan to bring Taliban insurgent groups to the negotiating table and bringing peace in Afghanistan since US’s phased withdrawal is linked with the successful dialogue with Taliban and reaching possible agreement to get rid of the Afghan stalemate.
Pakistan’s present PTI government takes the credit of having crafted and reshaped foreign policy that has already started bearing fruit and Pakistan’s soft image globally has been appreciated by the world especially Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, British, China, US, Russia and others.
The World has appreciated the countless sacrifices laid down by the valiant soldiers and civilians. Pakistan has already done more; it is up to the US and others to do the same since Pakistan’s economy has been crippled due to constantly fighting War on Terror. Pakistan’s positive gesture towards normalization of relations with India after the opening of the Kartarpur corridor has projected soft image worldwide.
The writer is a freelance columnist having interests in Policy Research, Governance , Education and Development
Published in Daily Times, February 18th 2019.