Since its inception, security has dominated Pakistan's foreign policy. Having redefined its location as geo-strategic in a region rife with territorial conflicts, Pakistan has fashioned a foreign policy where it delves into a combination of critical issues such as Kashmir, Afghanistan, and terrorism apart from other self-serving interests. Amid these challenging issues, Pakistan's foreign policy faces several challenges that need to be addressed to effectively navigate the complex international landscape.
International relations scholars define foreign policy as a set of strategies, decisions, and actions a government takes to pursue national interests in relation to other countries. They analyse foreign policy through the theoretical lenses of realism, liberalism, constructivism, and Marxism to understand the motivations, strategies, and implications of a country's foreign policy decisions. For most countries, their foreign policies are shaped by their unique domestic politics, historical experiences, cultural values, and geopolitical considerations. After that, factors such as balance of power, global and regional dynamics, international institutions, and emerging challenges such as globalisation, terrorism, climate change, and human rights influence them.
For Pakistan, though, this has meant security, whether of the physical or the economic kind. But there are other challenges as well which this article will explore.
Security concerns
Pakistan has long been grappling with grave security challenges. This includes terrorism domestically and from across its borders, along with regional conflicts. These security concerns not only impact domestic stability but also affect Pakistan's relations with other countries.
In managing an effective response to terrorism, tackling militancy, and protecting the global community's interests, Pakistan was almost driven to the brink of economic collapse
Over the past 50 years, Pakistan has been embroiled either directly or indirectly in various violent conflicts, from the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the resulting rampant militancy, the US war on terror and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, all the while dealing with low-intensity conflict on its eastern border with India and sporadic issues cropping up on its western border with Iran. All of these have significantly impacted Pakistan's foreign policy.
In managing an effective response to terrorism, tackling militancy, and protecting the global community's interests, Pakistan was almost driven to the brink of economic collapse. Even though it attempted to manage them domestically, its attempts to raise the issue diplomatically at the international level received a less than reciprocal response. Instead, the global community was seen as utterly passive and non-cooperative.
Still, to tackle these continuing challenges, Pakistan needs to further enhance its counter-terrorism efforts, strengthen its intelligence capabilities, and actively engage with regional and international partners to promote peace and stability.
Kashmir dispute
The longstanding Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India remains a major challenge to Islamabad's foreign policy.
The dispute over a region claimed by both India and Pakistan has been a central point of contention between the two nuclear-tipped neighbouring but hostile countries since the Partition in 1947. Pakistan has consistently advocated for the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir and has sought international support to resolve the issue.
For Pakistan, resolving this critical issue is crucial to ensuring regional peace and stability
Pakistan's foreign policy regarding Kashmir has typically focused on diplomatic efforts to raise awareness about the human rights violations perpetrated by India and the vain efforts to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue with New Delhi.
Pakistan has sought the international community's involvement, particularly the United Nations, in mediating the Kashmir dispute.
Islamabad has also highlighted the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir, which call for a plebiscite to determine the region's future. Additionally, Pakistan has supported the right of the Kashmiris to express their aspirations and has condemned any use of force or repression against them.
For Pakistan, resolving this critical issue is crucial to ensuring regional peace and stability. Pakistan should continue to engage bilaterally with India. It needs to engage multilaterally at international forums to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir conflict.
It is important to note that while the Kashmir issue has been a key factor in Pakistan's foreign policy, its overall objectives extend beyond this specific dispute. Pakistan aims to maintain friendly relations with all countries, promote regional stability, and pursue economic development and cooperation.
Economic stability
During the ongoing fiscal year 2023-2024, Pakistan's fiscal deficit is around 6.5% of its total GDP. Pakistan's total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at around $378 billion which is significantly lower when compared to its eastern neighbour India, whose current GDP is around $3.6 trillion.
Throw in a balance of payment and devaluation crisis, and the entire country has been engulfed by rampant inflation, widespread economic deterioration, and rising unemployment. In other words, Pakistan is facing the worst economic recession of its short history.
Naturally, much engagement between Pakistan and other nations diplomatically circles to economics as well.
Economic stability is essential for Pakistan's foreign policy to effectively engage with other nations. Pakistan must address economic challenges such as high inflation, unemployment, and low foreign direct investment (FDI).
Pakistan can strengthen its position in the international community by implementing sound economic policies, attracting foreign investment, and promoting trade.
Balancing regional alliances
Given the thrust of Pakistan's external posturing hinges acutely on geo-strategic location, Islamabad's foreign policy often tends to involve balancing alliances with different regional powers.
However, its economic dependence and fragile democracy are among the key factors behind its dependence on power brokers such as neighbour China and the Western Block led by the US.
Pakistan can ill afford to annoy China for the sake of the US, and vice versa. A perfect dilemma.
No doubt, maintaining a delicate balance between its relationships with China, the United States, and other regional actors is an unenviable challenge.
Pakistan needs to actively work on improving its image through effective communication strategies, promoting cultural diplomacy, and highlighting its contributions to regional and global peace
Pakistan needs to pursue a balanced approach based on its national interests while actively engaging with all regional stakeholders to promote peace, stability, and economic cooperation. The changing regional security and strategic scenarios have always posed hurdles for Islamabad to shape cooperative and liberal foreign policy with a focus on bilateral and multilateral relations.
Image perception
Pakistan often faces negative perceptions and stereotypes in the international community, significantly impacting its foreign policy objectives.
Over the years, Pakistan has been blamed for various issues, from human rights violations within its borders, persecution of minorities, harbouring militants, sponsoring the Afghan Taliban, and hosting safe havens for Al Qaeda and the Islamic State militants.
Despite spending significant blood, treasure, time and political capital combating religious militancy and supporting the international community in the fight against extremism and terrorism, the US and the Western world have always accused Pakistan of duplicity and terrorism, which is, unfortunately, pathetic and unjust.
That being said, Pakistan needs to actively work on improving its image through effective communication strategies, promoting cultural diplomacy, and highlighting its contributions to regional and global peace.
Pakistan must enhance its soft power through smart diplomacy to improve its caricatured image on the regional and global hemispheres.
Way forward
Pakistan must strengthen its institutions, including the foreign office, intelligence agencies, and think tanks, to formulate and implement foreign policy effectively.
Pakistan should actively engage in diplomatic efforts, including bilateral and multilateral dialogues, to promote its interests and resolve conflicts. Islamabad should focus on economic diplomacy to attract foreign investment, expand trade relations, and enhance economic cooperation with other countries.
A liberal foreign policy can attract foreign investment and promote economic growth. By fostering a more open and inclusive environment, Pakistan can enhance its trade relations with other countries, leading to increased exports, job creation, and overall economic development. Pakistan should build stronger diplomatic ties and foster cooperation with the international community. This can lead to collaborations in various fields, such as technology, education, healthcare, and research, which can contribute to the overall progress and development of the country.
Additionally, Pakistan should emphasise promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of speech, gender equality, and religious freedom domestically, to improve its image at the global level.
Pakistan should reimagine its foreign policy to improve its international reputation and demonstrate its commitment to democratic values. This will surely help the country earn greater respect and friendly support from the international community.