World politics is subject to new order. Enemies in yore are now friends and vice Versa. India, friend of Muscovites, is now hooking up with Americans. Iran, a once first-rate friend of ours, is now foaming against our country. Russia, which had been averse to Taliban, is now striving to get their patents. In such transitional international arena, if anybody still looks at present world texture through the perspective of 1980s, it is evident that he/she will be groping in dark. Hence, foreign policy must always undergo metamorphosis in line with world order.
Op-Ed by our Pakistani ContributorSuhail Khan Mandukhel.
“The views and opinions expressed in some articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position or editorial policy of Young Diplomats magazine.”
World politics is subject to new order. Enemies in yore are now friends and vice Versa. India, friend of Muscovites, is now hooking up with Americans. Iran, a once first-rate friend of ours, is now foaming against our country. Russia, which had been averse to Taliban, is now striving to get their patents. In such transitional international arena, if anybody still looks at present world texture through the perspective of 1980s, it is evident that he/she will be groping in dark. Hence, foreign policy must always undergo metamorphosis in line with world order.
Pakistan is magically situated country. It is no exaggeration to state that our country can act both like a tryst and a warring front for other countries to engage either friendly or belligerently. In the words of Stephen Cohn,” while history has been unkind to Pakistan, its geography has been its greatest benefit”. However, our strategists couldn’t work world chessboard in their favor. Unlike other contemporary nations, Pakistan is deconstructing its list of friends. Even our neighbors have it in for our country. In my write-up, I will try to encapsulate the measures which our policy makers must undertake for a conducive foreign policy.
Preoccupation of our foreign policy is Kashmir issue. Since independence, Pakistan has been championing the cause of Kashmiris. Speaking unreservedly, however, so far this issue has been dealt unconscionably. Instead of handling this issue like an international conflict, our rulers have pursued its fruition in a religious mannerism. Resultantly, world takes it for granted and slights this problem as nonissue based on religion. Had Pakistan presented it before the world as an unsentimental and a realistic issue under the rubric of populism, Kashmir would have achieved self-determination in pattern of East Timor. Ensuing it, India is at a full stretch to pare down Muslim majority of Kashmir into minority, and if it succeeds in doing so, foundation of our struggle will meet over-the-top collapse. Although it is no denying the fact that bedrock for the creation of Pakistan was two-nation theory, we still have to internationalize cause of Kashmir in line with UN charter about self-determination.
Afghanistan, a country of topsy-turvy geopolitics, is a thorn in the side of Pakistan. It has been dwelling on doctrine of Irredentism. While Pakistan is shrugging off this claim of Afghanistan as “an Alice in the wonderland”. So far, we couldn’t resolve this issue once for all. More problematically, India is making the most of Afghans’ disillusionment towards Pakistan. Only In 2015-2016, India provided development fund of Rs880 Crore to Afghanistan. Interestingly, Afghan Army is in the pocket of India. Whenever India stirs it up, it sprays flurry of bullets cross the border. Unfortunately, our rulers are addressing this issue lousily. As a result, India had succeeded by a long shot in using Afghanistan as a military outpost. Now open-ended question is, how can Pakistan win over Afghanistan with salutary measures? For sure, China can be most suitable go-between for this entente. Auspiciously, even Taliban consider China a “pacifist” state. If china makes Taliban Parley with Afghanistan and an omnipotent democratic government prevails there, war-torn Afghans will eventually bug out from much-touted claim on Pashtun Areas of Pakistan. Currently, Titular Afghan government is deliberately re-agitating Durand line issue in order to canalize the anxiety of Afghans. Once if Afghanistan gets a viable and potent government, it is likelihood that the issue of Durand Line will be shelved for good.
Another topical issue faced by Pakistan is caustic relations with Iran. After Pakistan announced unvarnished support for Afghan Mujahedeen in 1980s, our image before Iran was reshaped as a Sunni state. After 9/11, this image was further hosed when Northern alliance-financed by Iran-engaged in a square dogfight with Taliban. Later on, Iran took strong umbrage at the Anti-Shia drive of banned outfits in Baluchistan which brought about death toll of over 1,700 Hazaras. Latterly, Pakistan is perching on a confused seat between Saudi and Iran. Vanguard of Islamic Military Alliance, which Iran mistakenly considers to be an Anti-Shia conglomeration of Sunni states, is from Pakistan. Both Saudi and Iran are diametrically important countries for Pakistan. Tehmina Janjua, foreign secretary of Pakistan, asserted aptly,” it is difficult for Pakistan to maintain equal relations with Saudi and Iran, but we (Pakistan) will not go against Iran interests”. It means Pakistan will have to deal this issue deftly. Saudi is already in bonhomie with us so the only exigent measure to be taken in this regard, is propitiating Iran without any delay. Militant groups like Jaish-ul-adal and Jundullah, which are operating attacks along boundary line, must be crippled. Iran must be given the surety that Islamic military alliance wouldn’t be used against its interests at all events. Moreover, too importantly, Pakistan should assimilate Iran into china Pakistan economic corridor.
Our foreign policy needs instrumental masterstrokes. Pakistan has never been a failing state. CPEC is centerpiece of OBOR initiative. We are inseparable allies of China a “Superpower-to-be”. Therefore, our foreign policy must exude the features of a flourishing state. I will conclude my write-up with the well-asserted Quote of Christopher Jaffrelot,” Pakistan is not a failed state, it is a state under tension”. And now it is high time that this tension must be released.
About the Author :
Suhail Khan Mandukhel
Zhob Baluchistan
Student of Political Science
Twitter.com/SuhailMandukhel
