Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy has acquired special significance in view of major shifts taking place in
the regional and global order. It is often asked as to how do we promote and protect our vital
national interests in the realm of diplomacy, international politics, inter-state relations, in this
rapidly changing milieu. The short answer is: very prudently.
Foreign-policy making process is always complex as well as elaborate. It requires extensive
consultations with key stakeholders. All elements of national power such as economic strength,
social cohesion, institutional balance, military capabilities, network of allies, ideological
orientation, to name a few, contribute to formulation and evolution of foreign policy. The
implementation phase is equally laborious, and painstaking. Quintessentially, we must always
remember, foreign policy is not an event, but a process. It is not a sprint, but a marathon.
We are living in a Hobbesian world, a world marked by anarchy, change and constant flux in the
political and strategic permutations. Unilateralism, nationalism, xenophobia and populism are
on the rise and creating uncertainties not witnessed on the global scene for decades.
The multilateral arrangements built after the Second World War seem to be under assault by
powerful forces. Technology has transformed the way we the humans had been living for
millennia. The rate and speed of change is the constant that we have to contend with all the time.
The center of gravity of global economic power is shifting from the West to the East. Some pundits
have been arguing that we are at a stage of history where we will have to inexorably face
“Thucydides Trap”, i.e. conflict between a rising power and an established power is inevitable.
Major power rivalries, regional tensions, protracted unresolved disputes and hegemonic
ambitions illustrate the state of play in our own region. On the positive side, ours is also a region
with tremendous potential for development and regional connectivity.
It is in such a daunting environment that Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities are defined, and
effective solutions crafted, to deal with the continuing challenges while taking benefit of
emerging opportunities.
Against this backdrop, let me share some key foreign policy areas where we are actively pursuing
our objectives shaped by our security and development imperatives.
The over-arching framework for our foreign policy continues to be encapsulated by the Quaid’s
dictum of “peace within, peace without.”
In its operationalization, we have the domestic priorities of people- centered economic
development and creation of a welfare state. In its external dimension, “peaceful neighborhood”
remains the defining construct.
To our East, as you are aware, Pakistan’s relationship with India has remained challenging as
ever. On 5 August 2019, India sought to further consolidate its illegal and immoral occupation of
IOJ&K in violation of numerous UNSC resolutions and international law. India’s intention is to
alter the internationally-recognized disputed status of occupied J&K and to change its
demographic structure and identity.
The inhuman lockdown of 8 million people continuing for over 70 days is imposing unspeakable
sufferings on the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan
made a strong case at the UN General Assembly that the curfew in IOJ&K must be immediately
lifted and the Kashmiris given the right to self-determination. I have been personally engaged
with Foreign Ministers and international dignitaries from across the world and sensitizing them
about the grave tragedy unfolding in IOJ&K. We have also raised international awareness about
the prospect of false flag operation and the grave risks posed to peace and security by India’s
unilateral actions.
The desperate attempt by India to portray a situation of “normalcy” in IOJ&K is in sharp contrast
to reports of torture and detention by the international media. They are indicative of a
reprehensible Indian design to spin an alternative reality to mislead the world. Similarly
reprehensible is the fiction being advanced by Indian authorities regarding restoration of mobile
phone service in IOJ&K.
We will continue to stand by Kashmiris in their just struggle for realization of the right to self-
determination. We, and the Kashmiris, remain grateful to all those governments, international
and regional human rights organizations, civil society members, and the international media who
have raised their voice against India’s illegal and unilateral actions and supported the resolution
of Kashmir dispute according to the UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
India is also pursuing a massive build-up of its nuclear and conventional military forces and
acquiring destabilizing capabilities. These include nuclearization of Indian Ocean and
deployment of anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs); development and testing of debris-generating Anti-
Satellite (ASAT) weapons; and a constant increase in the readiness, sophistication and
diversification of all types of delivery systems and platforms.
This country resorts to war-mongering and issues nuclear threats including for short term
domestic electoral gains. It has repeatedly signaled changes to its declaratory nuclear posture
while flirting with pre-emptive and counterforce tendencies. This is in addition to its already
existing aggressive military doctrines that envisage war-fighting below the perceived nuclear
threshold. It refuses to bilaterally engage dialogue and rejects proposals aimed at risk reduction,
confidence-building and nuclear and missile restraint. These hegemonic pretensions, coupled
with a history of aggression against its neighbours, present a clear and present danger to regional
stability, and to Pakistan’s security.
Pakistan desires peace and strategic stability in order to focus on its socio-economic development
agenda. Our conduct continues to be defined by restraint and responsibility, and the avoidance
of an arms race. Pakistan, however, cannot remain oblivious to the evolving security dynamics in
its immediate neighbourhood.
Turmoil and protracted war in Afghanistan has immeasurably affected Pakistan and its society.
Pakistan maintained for a long time that there is no military solution to the conflict in
Afghanistan. We are gratified that our position is vindicated and there is, today, an across-the-
board agreement in favour of a political settlement. Pakistan is fully supporting peace and
reconciliation, to be achieved through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process. We have
supported all rounds of Afghan peace talks in Doha and Abu Dhabi. We hope that the US-Taliban
talks recommence and lead to intra-Afghan negotiations.
China, Afghanistan and Pakistan convened the third Trilateral Foreign Minister’s Dialogue on
7th September. We welcomed the agreements reached in the dialogue and hope that deeper
cooperation is forged in matters of development and connectivity with Afghanistan.
A senior Taliban delegation visited Pakistan recently and we urged them to work for resumption
of talks with the U.S., and undertake intra-Afghan negotiations. We were encouraged by their
response.
In essence, Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at having an Afghanistan–
at peace with itself, and at peace with its neighbors. We will continue to support the reconciliation
process, extend development assistance, and help create conditions in which more than 3 million
Afghan refugees in Pakistan can go back to their homeland in dignity and honor.
China remains our closest friend and a steadfast partner. Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic
Cooperative Partnership is an anchor for peace and stability in the region. This relationship has
expanded and diversified a great deal in past few years and we will continue to reinforce our ties
to protect and promote our strategic, economic, trade, people-to-people and investment interests.
Prime Minister Imran Khan visited China from 8-9 October. It was Prime Minister’s third visit
within a span of a year. The evolving geopolitical situation requires frequent leadership level
interactions. The outcome document of the Prime Minister’s visit demonstrated the convergence
of views between the two strategic partners across the whole range of regional and international
issues.
CPEC is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s development agenda and expeditious completion of CPEC
projects is a high priority of our government. We are determined to execute CPEC projects and,
in our recent visit to China, have proposed more projects for Chinese investment that can
rejuvenate and consolidate our economy.
Let me also acknowledge here that we are extremely grateful to China for resolutely supporting
us at the UN in our struggle to seek justice for the Kashmiris under illegal Indian occupation.
Pakistan is committed to have a broad-based, long-term, and enduring partnership with the US.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has twice met President Trump and taken bilateral engagement to a
level and quality not witnessed in recent years. The broad agenda from security to trade to
investments to energy to education to people-to-people exchanges illustrates the vast benefits we
can accrue by working together.
Our endeavor is to cast this relationship on the principles of mutual respect, mutual interest and
mutual benefit. We have worked assiduously to minimize the divergences and we continue to
accentuate the convergences. We hope that the US and Pakistan work constructively in advancing
the shared goals of peace, stability and prosperity in our region.
Pakistan has achieved significant success in fighting terrorism at a staggering human and
financial cost. Terrorist networks have been disrupted and their infrastructure degraded. As a
result, the prospects for economic development and growth have magnified. Many countries are
approaching us to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. Tourism industry has witnessed
a surge in recent months. We are confident that, going forward, Pakistan will become an attractive
destination for international investors and tourists.
Our ties with Europe are of strategic significance. As the EU and the UK grapple with the
challenge of ‘Brexit’, we hope Pakistan’s multifaceted ties with its European partners will
continue to expand in quantum and substance. Our relationship with EU will remain
instrumental in our economic growth process and in our quest for a peaceful, stable and
prosperous region and the world.
Let me take this opportunity to say that I was delighted to receive the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge on their visit to Pakistan. The royal couple is on a five-day tour to Pakistan and will
discover in this period the rich sights and sounds of Pakistan. Through this powerful lens, we are
sure,the world will get to see a country of remarkable geographical, cultural and linguistic
diversity.
For Pakistan, the Middle East is an important strategic, economic, security and cultural partner,
besides being our primary civilizational fountain-head. We have close affinities and great
affection for all the countries of the region.
Some five million Pakistanis find employment there, sending back billions of dollars worth of
remittances that further consolidate our economy.
The Middle East is important from the perspective of ensuring Pakistan’s energy security. War in
the region could have devastating consequences for the entire world, as also for Pakistan’s
economy. We are, therefore, doing everything within our means to help lower tensions and
ensure preservation of regional peace and security.
As part of these facilitation efforts, Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Iran and Saudi Arabia to
defuse tensions and promote peace and stability in the region. I can tell you that we are
encouraged by the initial consultations as there is already discernible de-escalation. We hope
there will be willingness to employ political and diplomatic means to resolve differences and
disputes. We would all be winners if these efforts are fruitful and we have a region focused on
cooperation, rather than confrontation.
Pakistan’s engagement with Africa and Latin America is also transforming in qualitative terms.
The richness that these important regions of the world offer in economic and cultural terms is
phenomenal. Pakistan is committed to fully realizing the vast potential that our key relationships
hold there.
In conclusion, let me restate that Pakistan, in pursuit of its foreign policy objectives, is playing a
pivotal role in promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. We believe there
is enormous potential to grow and, with progressive, pragmatic and liberal policies, we can infuse
economic dynamism internally in Pakistan and across the region.
We do not see our quest for security as a zero-sum game. Rather, we believe in win-win outcomes,
maximizing the dividends for all. We hope our constructive approach will be reciprocated by
others and there will be a new momentum for peace, progress and prosperity.