Internationational relations

1. International Relations
and
The 21st Century Pakistan
Muttahir Ahmed Khan
(Educationist, Analyst, Author)

2. Historical/Conventional Perspectives
Defence and Strategic Policy-centered
(Inherited and chronic conflict with India, Kashmir Issue, etc.)
Geopolitics-oriented
(Pakistan’s strategic location, junction, neighbourhood, etc.)
Philosophy-&-Ideology-focused
(Religious doctrine and essence)
Improving the quality of Education, Social Development, Economy and
Commerce and Trade through International Relations and Diplomatic
Platforms were on the bottom line of priorities.

3. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,
the Founder of Pakistan and its first
Governor General, in a broadcast talk to
the people of the USA in February 1948,
outlined the following goals of Pakistan’s
foreign policy:
• “
• “Our foreign policy is one of friendliness
and goodwill towards all the nations of the
world. We do not cherish aggressive designs
against any country or nation. We believe in
the principle of honesty and fair play in
national and international dealings and are
prepared to make our utmost contribution to
the promotion of peace and prosperity
among the nations of the world. Pakistan will
never be found lacking in extending its
material and moral support to the
oppressed and suppressed peoples of the
world, and in upholding the principles of the
United Nations Charter.”

4. Article 40 of the constitution provides that:
• “The State shall endeavour to preserve
and strengthen fraternal relations
among Muslim countries based on
Islamic unity, support the common
interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa
and Latin America, promote
international peace and security, foster
goodwill and friendly relations among
all nations and encourage the
settlement of international disputes by
peaceful means.”
• (The Prescribed State Policy)
• The foreign policy of Pakistan is
primarily directed to the pursuit of
national goals of seeking peace and
stability through international
cooperation. Special emphasis is laid on
economic diplomacy to take advantages
offered by the process of globalization as
also to face challenges of the 21st
century. Our foreign policy is also geared
to project the image of the country as a
dynamic and moderate society.

5. Metamorphosis of International Relations
• Polarisation/Bypolarisation
• Geo-politics
• Defence and Security
• Culture/Sports/Festivals
• World Organisations/Allies
• World Order/Diplomacies
• Wars/Post War-calamities
• Globalisation
• Geo-economics
• Global Economy/Trade/Commerce
• Social Media/IT and Communication
• Multinational Ventures
• Corporate World
• Global Warming/Climate Change

6. The Unanimously Pondered Over and Finalised Objectives of
The Conformist Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
-Promotion of Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate, and democratic
Islamic country.
– Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially major
powers and immediate neighbours.
– Safeguarding national security and geo-strategic interests, including Kashmir.
– Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with international
community.
– Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad.
– Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and international
cooperation.

7. The World is no more a Conventional Sphere
Pakistan’s foreign policy badly needs a paradigm shift
*The Orthodox approach was less out of concern for national interest and more for
the leadership’s own priorities and pursuit of political power.
*The nation is being left behind in a rapidly changing world, its diplomatic space is
shrinking, it struggles to make new friends and retain old ones, and its enemies are no
longer afraid of it.
*Geo-economics largely remains a slogan as Pakistan fails to make necessary shifts.
The underlying structural economic weaknesses, poor governance, and lack of
political stability do not make Pakistan a good partner or an attractive market for
foreign investors.

8. Advantages and Disadvantages of Security Policies
Pakistan’s foreign relations have no doubt had their success stories, which
have been crowned by the Pak-China friendship.
Pakistan has stood up well to India’s hegemony and its nuclear capability, for
which both the civilian and military leaderships are to be credited, has not only
been good for the country’s security but also for peace in the region.
Pakistan has also enjoyed a high profile in multilateral diplomacy and has had
excellent relations with the Muslim world.

9. Advantages and Disadvantages of Security Policies
The US connection strengthened the elite-based ruling establishment, particularly
the army, as they provided the services Washington was looking for. The army
therefore became the predominant player in Pakistan’s political life.
The rise of extremist outfits, born out of Pakistan’s strategic ambitions and
Washington’s ill-conceived wars, have come to threaten our internal stability and
economic future.
Pakistan’s organising idea has long been addicted to a world that is now extinct. The
geopolitical environment, which it banked on for decades to define its value for big
powers, no longer exists. The organising idea of Pakistan itself — an elitist-led
country dependent on external help — has failed.

10. Pakistan’s security policies have limited its options for economic
engagement in the region in more ways than one. The policies
have given rise to extremist and militant organisations within
the country, inhibiting foreign investments, along with weak rule
of law and poor governance for decades. Not to mention its
dependency-oriented foreign policy has reduced its list of friends
and benefactors, leaving it with only a few options for global
engagement. Pakistan needs a new approach which is currently
absent as it continues to be consumed by ideology and internal
struggles for power. Going for the ‘Jihadist option’ has
backfired while India’s strengths have multiplied, earning it a
popular global status.

11. The bottom line is that a nation’s ability to influence foreign relations, especially
in today’s world, depends on economics, which in turn is dependent on political
stability and good governance.
Economic power is at the core of national strength. It enables a state to have a
good defence capability, enriches the quality of life of citizens, and has the
potential to attract friendly relations with other countries from a non-subordinate
position.