Almost five years after the infamous “Memogate” scandal, Pakistan’s former US Ambassador Husain Haqqani is back in the news. He has been accused by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry of lobbying against his own country’s interests and ‘creating hurdles for the government.’
Strongly rejecting these allegations, Haqqani has called for the officials to take responsibility for their failed policies instead of finding scapegoats. In this backdrop, it seems pertinent to assess whether Pakistan’s foreign policy is really delivering the desired results or not. The country’s foreign policy is supposedly reflective of its national priorities that include economic revival, overcoming the monstrous challenge of terrorism and violent extremism, and promoting regional peace and security while protecting the country’s strategic interests. According to Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, economic diplomacy to promote trade and investments has remained the cornerstone of government’s foreign policy. The country’s economic revival hinges largely on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The CPEC project is symbolic of Pakistan's strategic and historic relationship with neighboring China, who remains critical to the foreign policy pf Pakistan. The ambitious project has added a new depth to their time tested friendship, which has evolved from military cooperation toward a focus on greater economic and investment partnership. It also highlights Pakistan’s focus on enhancing regional economic cooperation and connectivity to bolster growth and development potential. As Pakistan has been reclassified to an “emerging market” based on its strong macroeconomic outlook, there is a need to undertake economic diplomacy with more confidence and assertiveness to ensure that the country’s economy finally takes off.
It is widely believed that the embattled Sharif government has been forced to take a backseat by the military on matters of foreign affairs. The military’s priority has been on restoring peace and stability in Pakistan by eliminating terrorist safe havens and blocking infiltration of insurgents from Afghanistan.
Pakistan had been leading peace efforts in Afghanistan, but suddenly things have started to go wrong.
The Afghans and US no longer want Pakistan to be involved in the peace efforts, accusing it of not doing enough against the Haqqani terrorist network.
Meanwhile, India’s bilateral ties with US are entering into a new strategic phase and it is being looked toward to play a greater role in Afghanistan. India is also moving closer to Iran by exploring new trade and investment opportunities. As a result, Pakistan has seen its regional power diminish and could become secluded regionally.
Pakistan must recognize that an effective foreign policy takes into account the dynamic global and regional strategic landscape and its future developments. The current policy is centered on China and inadequately addresses Pakistan’s geopolitical interests, let alone expanding the country’s sphere of influence.
Pakistan seems to be stuck in the mentality of bloc politics and has not been able to strike a balance between its relationships. Strategic alignment with China should not compromise Pakistan’s ties with the US or other countries.
Pakistan must engage India and revive efforts to normalize relations with the arch-rival. It must find a way to support the Afghan peace dialogue and remain relevant to help reach a political solution to the Afghan crisis. For a start, revitalizing ties with these neighboring countries makes good political and economic sense as it will give Pakistan a voice, and preserve its regional interests.
Strongly rejecting these allegations, Haqqani has called for the officials to take responsibility for their failed policies instead of finding scapegoats. In this backdrop, it seems pertinent to assess whether Pakistan’s foreign policy is really delivering the desired results or not. The country’s foreign policy is supposedly reflective of its national priorities that include economic revival, overcoming the monstrous challenge of terrorism and violent extremism, and promoting regional peace and security while protecting the country’s strategic interests. According to Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, economic diplomacy to promote trade and investments has remained the cornerstone of government’s foreign policy. The country’s economic revival hinges largely on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The CPEC project is symbolic of Pakistan's strategic and historic relationship with neighboring China, who remains critical to the foreign policy pf Pakistan. The ambitious project has added a new depth to their time tested friendship, which has evolved from military cooperation toward a focus on greater economic and investment partnership. It also highlights Pakistan’s focus on enhancing regional economic cooperation and connectivity to bolster growth and development potential. As Pakistan has been reclassified to an “emerging market” based on its strong macroeconomic outlook, there is a need to undertake economic diplomacy with more confidence and assertiveness to ensure that the country’s economy finally takes off.
It is widely believed that the embattled Sharif government has been forced to take a backseat by the military on matters of foreign affairs. The military’s priority has been on restoring peace and stability in Pakistan by eliminating terrorist safe havens and blocking infiltration of insurgents from Afghanistan.
Pakistan had been leading peace efforts in Afghanistan, but suddenly things have started to go wrong.
The Afghans and US no longer want Pakistan to be involved in the peace efforts, accusing it of not doing enough against the Haqqani terrorist network.
Meanwhile, India’s bilateral ties with US are entering into a new strategic phase and it is being looked toward to play a greater role in Afghanistan. India is also moving closer to Iran by exploring new trade and investment opportunities. As a result, Pakistan has seen its regional power diminish and could become secluded regionally.
Pakistan must recognize that an effective foreign policy takes into account the dynamic global and regional strategic landscape and its future developments. The current policy is centered on China and inadequately addresses Pakistan’s geopolitical interests, let alone expanding the country’s sphere of influence.
Pakistan seems to be stuck in the mentality of bloc politics and has not been able to strike a balance between its relationships. Strategic alignment with China should not compromise Pakistan’s ties with the US or other countries.
Pakistan must engage India and revive efforts to normalize relations with the arch-rival. It must find a way to support the Afghan peace dialogue and remain relevant to help reach a political solution to the Afghan crisis. For a start, revitalizing ties with these neighboring countries makes good political and economic sense as it will give Pakistan a voice, and preserve its regional interests.
