Arshad Mahmood Awan

Foreign policy is the set of goals, principles, and strategies that guide a state’s interactions with other states and actors in the international arena. Foreign policy reflects a state’s interests, values, and aspirations, as well as its constraints and challenges. Various factors, such as geography, history, culture, economy, politics, ideology, military, international system, and external threats influence foreign policy. Foreign policy is implemented through various instruments, such as diplomacy, trade, aid, sanctions, alliances, and war.

The historical evolution of Pakistani foreign policy from 1947 to 2023 can be divided into four phases:

• The first phase (1947-1965) was marked by the quest for security and recognition, as Pakistan faced the challenges of partition, the Kashmir dispute, and the Cold War. Pakistan sought to balance its relations with the West and the Muslim world, and joined the US-led alliances of SEATO and CENTO. Pakistan also established close ties with China, especially after the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Pakistan fought two wars with India in 1948 and 1965 over Kashmir, which resulted in stalemate and increased tensions.
• The second phase (1966-1979) was characterized by the pursuit of development and diversification, as Pakistan faced the crisis of East Pakistan’s secession, which led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. Pakistan also faced the emergence of a nuclear India, which prompted Pakistan to initiate its own nuclear program. Pakistan sought to improve its relations with the Soviet Union, the Muslim world, and the non-aligned movement, while maintaining its ties with the US and China. Pakistan also played a key role in facilitating the US-China rapprochement and the US-Soviet détente.
• The third phase (1980-2001) was dominated by the involvement in the Afghan conflict, as Pakistan supported the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Pakistan also faced the challenges of the Iranian Revolution, the Gulf War, and the rise of religious extremism and terrorism. Pakistan continued its nuclear program, despite the US sanctions and pressure, and conducted its first nuclear tests in 1998, in response to India’s tests. Pakistan also engaged in a series of dialogues and confidence-building measures with India, but also fought a limited war in Kargil in 1999. Pakistan also witnessed the military coup of General Pervez Musharraf in 1999, who became the president and the chief of army staff.
• The fourth phase (2002-2023) was shaped by the war on terror, as Pakistan joined the US-led coalition against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan also faced the challenges of the US-India strategic partnership, the rise of China, the instability in the Middle East, and the emergence of new regional and global actors. Pakistan also faced the issues of democracy, governance, and human rights, as well as the civil-military relations and the role of the judiciary. Pakistan also pursued a dialogue and peace process with India, but also faced the crises of the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the 2019 Pulwama attack. Pakistan also conducted its first successful test of a submarine-launched cruise missile in 2017, enhancing its nuclear deterrence capability.

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Pakistan can pursue an independent foreign policy in terms of the social, cultural, political, economic, national, and geographical perspectives by:

• Social: Promoting the welfare and development of its people, especially the marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as women, children, minorities, and refugees. Enhancing the social cohesion and harmony among the diverse ethnic, linguistic, and religious communities. Fostering the civil society and the media as the agents of change and accountability. Strengthening the educational and health systems and the human capital. Addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and corruption.
• Cultural: Preserving and promoting the rich and diverse cultural heritage and traditions of Pakistan. Encouraging the cultural exchanges and cooperation with other countries and regions, especially the Muslim world and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Supporting the cultural diplomacy and the public diplomacy as the means of enhancing the soft power and the image of Pakistan. Respecting the cultural diversity and the pluralism of the world. Combating the cultural imperialism and the stereotyping of Pakistan.
• Political: Consolidating the democratic institutions and processes and ensuring the rule of law and the constitutionalism. Enhancing the political participation and representation of the people and the political parties. Resolving the political disputes and conflicts through dialogue and negotiation. Upholding the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people. Strengthening the national unity and the national identity of Pakistan. Balancing the civil-military relations and the civilian control over the military.
• Economic: Pursuing the economic growth and development and the economic integration with the region and the world. Diversifying the economic sectors and the economic partners and reducing the dependence on foreign aid and loans. Enhancing the trade and investment opportunities and the market access for Pakistani products and services. Promoting the economic cooperation and the regional connectivity with other countries and regions, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Addressing the economic challenges and the vulnerabilities, such as the debt, the inflation, the unemployment, and the energy crisis.
• National: Defending the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Pakistan and safeguarding the national interests and the national security of Pakistan. Maintaining the credible minimum nuclear deterrence and the conventional deterrence against any external aggression or coercion. Developing the professional and modern armed forces and the intelligence agencies. Enhancing the national resilience and the national preparedness against any natural or man-made disasters or emergencies. Fostering the national pride and the national spirit of Pakistan.
• Geographical: Utilizing the strategic location and the geostrategic advantages of Pakistan as the bridge and the hub of the region and the world. Expanding the diplomatic relations and the engagements with other countries and regions, especially the neighboring and the regional countries, such as Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, and the Central Asian Republics. Participating in the multilateral forums and the organizations, such as the United Nations, the SCO, the OIC, and the SAARC. Contributing to the regional and the global peace and stability and the resolution of the regional and the global issues and conflicts, such as the Kashmir dispute, the Afghan peace process, and the climate change.

Lastly, an independent foreign policy depends upon the national power of a country. Therefore, Pakistan must stand on its feet in order to pursue an independent foreign policy. 

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