“A country that demands moral perfection in its foreign policy will achieve neither perfection nor security” (Henry Kissinger)
Abdul Manan
Since the birth of Pakistan, itsforeign policy has remained most undone and dysfunctional.Pakistan joined American block despite having deplorable socio-economic situation in early days,and jumped into the war of two giants i.e. USA and Russia.“U-2 Incident, (1960), confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union that began with the shooting down of a U.S. U-2 reconnaissance plane over the Soviet Union and that caused the collapse of a summit conference in Paris between the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France, the spy plane was operated from Pakistani soil and USSR officially protested against Pakistan’s on its dubious role. The Dhaka Fall (1971), in which, Pakistan had to face worst ever humiliation in the form prisoners of war and separation of East-Pakistan”. These two incidents are the darkest chapter of the history and a glimpse of Pakistan’s fragile foreign policy. Many historians have written that social-political inequality, decade long dictatorship and self-insecurity of Western Pakistanis were the reasons of Dhaka fall, but it is pertinent to note that in actual, the collapse of dismal foreign policy was the prime cause. Perhaps Pakistan was punished by USSR in the shape of Dhaka Fall with the collaboration of India,because Pakistan was playing unnecessary role to build Sino-US ties, despite of looming regional security issues. But, Pakistan did not learn lesson from itsblunders and oncemore became a launching pad for Jihadists in Afghan Jihad on the wills International Establishment. Pakistan’s intelligenceagencies playeda crucial role in the collapseof USSR with the collaboration of US and its allies. After that, USA emerged as sole world powerin 1991.Pakistan continued itslapses in the foreign policy and again became front line allay of NATO led USA in the war of terror after 9/11.Undeniably, we may forget but the history would never forget these bloopers.Pakistan was considered the Muslim leader especially, after achieving atomic ability, butsadly, it lost the leadership of Muslim world due to ambiguous and delirious foreign policy. Pakistan was among the founders of OIC,however,its position misplaced and gradually Muslim world slipped from its hands. Moreover, Pakistan has afirm, logical and legal position on Kashmir cause, but she could not realize her concerns to the world, due to ineffective military-oriented foreign policy. OIC and Arab states did not pay heed to theIndian illegitimate occupation and siege on Kashmir; in fact they invitedIndian Foreign Ministeras a Chief Guest,in OIC conference of 2019.Also, the Indian Army Chief made his first four days diplomatic tour to UAE and KSA in December,2020.The feeble economy, declining export market, extra inclination towards Iran and Turkey and Civil- Military disunity are the main reasons for Pakistan’s shrinking role in Middle East. It should be understood, that in international relations, enemies or friends change but national interests remain same. Now, Arabs have established conditional relations with Israel, while Israel would provide them strategic and economic support along with the provision of Covid-19 vaccine to Arab Countries. India-Israel cooperation has endangered the position of Pakistan in the Arab world. Islamabad’s in consistent foreign policy is damaging its reputation and losing old friends. Kaulalumpur conference, last year was the attempt to shift balance of Muslim world, and now Arab states especially KSA has maintained distance from Pakistan. Pakistan should understand that more than8 million of its workforce is living in the Middle-East to earn their livelihoods and a prime source of foreign remittances. KSA is Pakistan’s main oil supplier and far feather friend as Pakistan’s national interest are still associated with the Arab world.The dynamic shift in the foreign policy of Pakistan has created a vacuum in Middle East which would be filled by Indo-Israel nexus. Pakistan needs to understand its fragile economic situation after covid-19 and should not take more risks. It should be noted thatCPEC’s success depends on Arabs participation in this landmark projectbut the increasing involvement of Indiain the Arab countries is diminishing Pakistan’s role.We should understand that current era of international relations is associate with geo-economic versatility rather than geo-strategic expansionism, while nations develop and re-arrange their relations with the others the basis of geo-economic dominance. Economy is the center stage of International relations, and foreign policies are being driven on its groundwork. While, our economy is constricted in the spiral of foreign debts, trade deficit, less generation of revenue and ineffective export.We need to build geo-economic relations to stand our economy. Pakistan should try to revisit its economic orientated foreign policy and immediately hire senior diplomats in Arab World to neutralize the situations. For that,Islamabad can use Chinese influence to engage Arab’s attention, and can play decisive role to bring two arch rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran on table.Pakistan as important China’s economic partner could establish concrete role in Middle East. Pakistan-China alliance in Middle East could maximize: trade, economic feasibility and peace sustainability.Anti-Iran sentiments in Arab world can reduce through Pak-China agglomeration in Middle East. Moreover, Chinese presence with support of Pakistan in Middle East could save region’s peace as well. According to New McKinsey Global Institute,the global center of gravity is shifting toward Asia, 21st century is called the “Asian Century”, especially, after coivd-19 rampage, and Chinese economic model has proven reliable and sustainable in Covid-19. China-Pakistan economic alliance could become effective tool for our foreign policy and Pakistan can get regional economic dominance.Pakistan should focus on her constructive regional foreign policy to enhance trade and commerce mainly for Middle East. Our economic oriented foreign policy could increase our role in Arab world as well.
