Foreign Policies of PakistanAnd the challenges came in front to Pakistan

How the Pakistan foreign affairs with others countries especially with our neighbor countries i.e. India, Afghanistan, Iraq and China and the challenges came in front of Pakistan with other countries

11/7/2014

Hamza saeed khan>> sp14-epe-096

Nasir Iqbal>> sp14-epe-108

Nifat ul shah>> sp14-epe-103

Arsalan liaqat>> sp14-epe-104

Muhammad Raza >> sp14-epe-052

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Contents:

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 What is foreign policy

2. Definition of foreign policy……………………………………………………………………… 23. Foreign relation of Pakistan…………………………………………………………………….24. Foreign Policy of Pakistan……………………………………………………………………..3

Objectives of foreign policy…………………………………………………………..35. Foreign Policy of Pakistan………………………………………………………………..………3

Internal Challenges……………………………………………………………….……36. Five major foreign policy challenges for Pakistan…………………………………..4

the major phases of Pakistan's foreign policy are……………………..47. Major phases of foreign policy of Pakistan…………………………………………….58. American interference in foreign policy of Pakistan………………………………69. Observations………………………………………………………………………………………….710.Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………….811.References………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Introduction:

What is foreign policy?

A country's foreign policy, also called the foreign relations policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve goals within its international relations milieu.[citation needed] The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries. The study of such strategies is called foreign policy analysis. In recent times, due to the deepening level of globalization and transnational activities, the states will also have to interact with non-state actors. The aforementioned interaction is evaluated and monitored in attempts to maximize benefits of multilateral international cooperation. Since the national interests are paramount, foreign policies are designed by the government through high-level decision making processes. National interest’s accomplishment can occur as a result of peaceful cooperation with other nations, or through exploitation. Usually, creating foreign policy is the job of the head of government and the foreign minister (or equivalent). In some countries the legislature also has considerable effects. Foreign policies of countries have varying rates of change and scopes of intent, which can be affected by factors that change the perceived national interests or even affect the stability of the country itself. The foreign policy of one country can have a profound and lasting impact on many other countries and on the course of international relations as a whole, such as the Monroe Doctrine conflicting with the mercantilist policies of 19th century European countries and the goals of independence of newly formed Central American and South American countries. [1]

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Definition of foreign policy:

Def. - The strategies chosen by the states to safeguard its national interest in the international system. Or;

Foreign Policy can be defined as _ "Relations between sovereign states. It is reflection of domestic politics and an interaction among sovereign states. It indicates the principles and preferences on which a country quant to establish relations with another country. [4]

Or the plan of actions adopted by one nation in regards to its diplomatic dealings with other countries. Foreign policies are established as a systematic way to deal with issues that may arise with other nations, designed to achieve national objectives.

Foreign relations of Pakistan with other countries:

Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population (after Indonesia), and its status as a declared nuclear power, being the only Islamic nation to have that status, plays a part in its international role.

Pakistan has a fiercely independent foreign policy, especially when it comes to issues such as development of nuclear weapons, construction of nuclear reactors, foreign military purchases and other issues that are vital to its national interests. Pakistan has a strategic geo-political location at the corridor of world major maritime oil supply lines, and has close proximity to the resource and oil rich central Asian countries. Pakistan is an important member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is ranked by the US as a major non-NATO ally in the war against terrorism, and has a highly disciplined and professional military. [2]

Foreign policy of Pakistan:

With different aspects:

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Pakistan is the 47th largest (nominal GDP) and 27th largest (purchasing power) economic power in the world, with a defense budget of $5.60 billion, which accounts for approximately ~0.28% of global military spending. [2]

Muhammad Ali Jinnah said “" Our Foreign Policy is one of friendliness and good-will towards all the nations of the world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the policy of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our outmost 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 of the United Nations Charter." [4].At other time he said” The foundation of our foreign policy is friendship with all nations across the globe.”_ Muhammad Ali Jinnah [3]

Objectives of foreign policy:

Basic goals of Pakistan’s Foreign policy are following;

1. Maintenance of territorial integrity.

2. Maintenance of its political independence.

3. Acceleration of social and economic development.

4. Strengthening its place on the globe.

5. Keeping cordial and friendly relations with all countries.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan:

Internal Challenges;

2014. In September, the Afghan presidential candidates will be lined-up which will be held next year in April. It will help in establishing Afghan Taliban’s

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interest in Afghanistan and Pakistan will get a space to segregate itself from them. As no country wants to have the situation of pre-1990s, and it can only be prevented, if there is no ballot fraud in Afghan presidential elections which may cause instability. If merely the aims and contents of the country’s foreign policy are changed, even then it does not answer to its tribulations. Rather they have to be readjusted so that the mislaid sovereignty and liberty of action may be regained. The house needs to be systemized. The restructuring of national priorities is the answer to all problems. The country ought to revisit to the real democracy entrenched in the will of the people and founded on constitutional primacy, independence of judiciary and the rule of law.

Pakistan necessitates a low profile foreign policy formulated through institutional rather than individual approach with larger focus on domestic, political, economic and social consolidation. In doing so, the national interest can be best served by following Hafiz Shiraz’s advice for “benevolence to friends, courteousness to the rivals” with “equal conviction in Iqbal’s message of self-pride, self-confidence and self-respect”, simultaneously Superpower must to identify that on path to a democratically elected civilian government and with stable institutions strictly adhering to their constitutional roles, Pakistan will be a more conscientious, more unfailing, more effectual and more apposite partner of the free globe in quest of common objectives and in the defense of shared ideals.

Five major foreign policy challenges to Pakistan:

1) Pakistan is faced with the challenge of the way it should preserve the sanctity of its sovereignty. The post-9/11 world opened a new era of challenges to Pakistan. The violation of its sovereignty by US drones is a recent phenomenon. Though the breach of sovereignty has been in existence since 2004, major escalation was witnessed after March 2009 when US President Barack Obama announced the AfPak strategy. From the Salala check post attack to the Abbottabad raid, there are several incidents of the breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty. Pakistan is still enmeshed in this tangle: first, how to secure its western border and how to avoid a conflict with the US and its allies, even with

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the Afghan national army, and how to preserve the sanctity of its sovereignty while ensuring the perpetual inflow of foreign aid/loans to Pakistan.

2) Pakistan has been facing the challenge of the vanishing of the principle of parity with India in the region. Since 1947, Pakistan has been endeavoring to achieve (and keep) parity with India as an equal friend or foe in the region. By 1998, Pakistan had achieved nuclear parity with India. However, in the post-9/11 world, the US-India nuclear energy deal in 2008 confirmed Pakistan’s status as being far below India on the ladder of regional importance. Afterwards, in 2009, the AfPak strategy of the US made Pakistan realize once again that the US does not consider Pakistan’s parity claim vis-à-vis India. The strategy de-hyphenated Pakistan from India and hyphenated Pakistan with Afghanistan. Pakistan is still struggling to come out of that status. It may be possible that post-2014 Afghanistan offers Pakistan an opportunity to hyphenate itself once again with India. Pakistan is relying on time and not on its efforts to offer a strategic alternative to the world in the region of South Asia.

3) the next challenge haunting Pakistan is its failure to see the world through the economic lens. Pakistan is still seeing the world through the antiquated political and ideological glasses of the Cold War. It seems obsessed with its geo-political importance. The internalization of this point has made Pakistan’s policy makers, in both the bureaucracy and military, convinced that the world is in need of Pakistan’s help and cooperation, and consequently the world should come to terms with Pakistan on the conditions laid down by it. This obsession has become a major hurdle in changing Pakistan’s approach towards the world and a reason for Pakistan’s failure to notice the changes happening around, especially in the field of economics. Similarly, Pakistan thinks that a kind of ideological conflict, similar to the one prevalent in the Cold War era, is still going on and Pakistan can seek monetary benefit out of it. This delusion has become another major obstacle in transforming Pakistan’s approach towards the emerging realities of the world. Pakistan has still not been realizing the importance of economic global polarity driven by the capitalist school of thought. Similarly, Pakistan is still not realizing the importance of regional trade (in South Asia and with Central Asia) to strengthen its economy locally.

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4) Pakistan has been facing the challenge of being seen as a country equipped with nuclear weapons but flooded with Islamic extremists. Pakistan may declare 1,000 times that its nuclear assets are in safe hands and that it is observing certain special safety protocols but the world is apprehensive of a single mistake, which may happen in these ‘safe hands’ or a single breach of any protocol being observed. The existence of non-state actors (Islamic extremists) associated with Pakistan or working on Pakistan’s land with impunity is considered a threat to the peace of the world. The ongoing war on terror has increased the numerical and ideological strength of these non-state actors. Moreover, any news of an attack launched by non-state actors on any nuclear facility of Pakistan will bring Pakistan under immense international pressure either to abandon its nuclear programme or hand over the weapons to any international security force. In the beginning of this year, Pakistan confessed that the major challenge to its security was coming from inside. Pakistan is not only struggling with curbing the menace of non-state actors on its land but is also trying to find a way for the amelioration of its international image.

5) the next challenge is that Pakistan is failing in playing a significant and proactive role in the Muslim world. In the past, Pakistan tried to be the voice of the Muslim world, besides being considered its leader. Pakistan tried to observe the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ in its diplomatic relations with other countries. However, not only had the end of the Cold War but also the post-9/11 phase changed the policy contours of the countries of the Muslim world. The attack of Iraq on Kuwait in 1990 and the invasion of Iraq by the US and its allies in 2003 divided the Muslim countries. It is now obvious that the acquisition of nuclear technology has not automatically graduated Pakistan to be a significant voice of the Muslim world. Pakistan lacks economic development and political stability, which keeps on making Pakistan dependent on international players and financial institutions. The Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act 2009 was also a major manifestation of Pakistan’s deteriorating status in the eyes of the US. The ongoing sectarian conflict is also persuading Pakistan to think of the renewal of its relations with the countries of the Muslim world.

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Major Phases of Pakistan's Foreign Policy

The major phases of Pakistan's foreign policy are:

A. 1947-53: Explorations and friendship with all

B. 1953-62: Alignment with the West

C. 1962-71: Transition

D. 1972-79: Bilateralism and nonalignment

E. 1980-90: Afghanistan and Partnership with the U.S.

F. 1990-2001: Post-Cold War Era and Pakistan's Dilemmas

G. 2001 onwards: Pakistan and Counter Terrorism.

American interference in foreign policy of Pakistan:

In 1947, when Pakistan came into being there was to two powers at that time in the world USSR and USA. These both countries want to make Pakistan there friend because of many reasons. One of them is location of Pakistan as Pakistan is joining two parts of the world. However, Pakistan at that time establish relationship with USA rather than USSR because we want that USA will be more powerful then USSR and build our country more powerful and economically strong and for military support. Moreover, it was incredible at that time to create good relationships with both super powers because they were rivals of each other. On the other hand USA also did great work for constructing Pakistan and give support to Pakistan in many ways we cannot reject their funding for well establishing us.

OBSERVATIONS:

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The review of Pakistan's foreign policy shows that Pakistan's goals have remained more or less T constant, although their scope was often redefined and new dimensions were added to them. The diplomatic and military strategies to pursue these goals varied over time. The changes in the strategies are understandable because a host of factors influence the foreign policy choices of a country, which include the dynamics of regional and international situation, the availability of human and material resources and the disposition and priorities of the policy makers. As these change over time, foreign policy must also change in its approach to bilateral, regional and global issues and problems.

Pakistan began with an independent foreign policy in 1947. However, it tilted towards the West in a period of 7 years due to serious economic and security pressures. It maintained a policy of close interaction in the security and economic fields with the West in general and the U.S. in particular in the mid and late 1950s, the 1980s, and now since September 2001. It pursued independent to non-aligned foreign policy from mid-60s to the end of the 1970s and assigned a great importance to its interaction with the Muslim states and the issues and problems of the developing world.

Pakistan is currently an active player in the global efforts for combating religious extremism and terrorism with a policy that extremism and terrorism pose serious threats to global security as well as to Pakistan's internal peace, stability and economic development. Pakistan has made some difficult decisions in pursuing counter terrorism and for ensuring peace and stability in the immediate neighborhood in order to boost its image at the international level, restore international confidence in the ability of the Pakistani state and government to put their socio-economic house in order, and shape up as a democratically oriented, modern and enlightened Muslim polity that does not allow its territory to be used by extremist groups.[5]

Conclusion:

Every country’s foreign policy starts from its home. That means, unless the internal challenges are dealt with, foreign policy cannot be strengthened. The counter argument is that the dynamics of national security are made because of

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foreign policy. Pakistan today needs a clear national security and strategy. The economics must contain pivotal role in that and it must not be based on the foreign relations merely. The foreign policy, economic policy and defense policy is always a part of national security policy. These policies cannot be run in separate compartments. It must be carried with in a strategic focus which is the responsibility of leadership. The most important priority must be the economic revival and development. The country needs such a national security and foreign policy where economic development gains privilege. The solution of the problems of Pakistan lies within home, the only thing required is the “courage and political power”. Resources and taxes should be raised. Every country has to go according to its national objectives. Economic progress should be given priority but for that safe borders are required. SOP and rules of road should be fixed with India so that if any crisis (terrorist incidents) may occur, which both countries may not want, and hence the crisis may be prevented which does not exist between both countries. The peace process should be made swift in Afghanistan simultaneously because it is in the interest of Pakistan so that some accommodation may be made before

Reference:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_policy 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Pakistan

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3. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Govt. Pakistan. Mofa. Retrieved 6 October 2013.

4. http://notesonpakistan.blogspot.com/2009/08/foreign-policy-of-pakistan.html

5. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/25-Dec-2013/pakistan-s-foreign-policy-challenges