Pakistan's Foreign Policy in Crisis: A Rudderless Country

Pakistan's foreign policy has become increasingly ineffectual, lacking clarity and coherence to address complex regional and global challenges. The country's approach to foreign policy has been characterized by sporadic, ad hoc, and reactive measures, largely driven by short-term considerations. A comprehensive review of Pakistan's foreign policy is essential to address the current state of its bilateral relationships, particularly with China and the US, and to adapt to the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• The absence of a clear policy framework and prioritized goals has led to muddled policy objectives, reflecting tactical and short-term considerations.
• The Sharif government has failed to provide a foreign policy vision, leaving the foreign ministry with a part-time head and divided attention of the foreign minister.
• The government has ceded more space on foreign policy to the military establishment, resulting in fragmentation of the decision-making process, confusion about responsibilities, and weak implementation of policy goals.
• Relations with strategic ally China are facing challenges due to security concerns about Chinese personnel working in Pakistan, issues related to loan rollovers and debt, and controversy over independent power producers.
• Pakistan's relationship with the US has been at an inflection point since the American military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, and a reset in ties is necessary, but awaits the outcome of the American presidential election.
• Pakistan has troubled relations in varying degrees with all three neighbours, and the situation in the neighbourhood demands a diplomatic effort to stabilize the Afghan front.

Statistics:

• Pakistan's foreign policy has been characterized by sporadic and ad hoc measures, with no clear policy framework or prioritized goals.
• Five months on, the Sharif government has not provided a foreign policy vision or spelled out future priorities.
• The foreign ministry is currently institutionally weak and demoralized, lacking resources and political direction.
• Over 5,000 Chinese investors are working in Pakistan, and recent attacks on Chinese workers have prompted concern about their safety.
• The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has diminished Pakistan's importance and geopolitical relevance for Washington.

Sources:

• [1] "Pakistan's foreign policy appears to be rudderless", Dawn, 2022
• [2] "Shehbaz Sharif's government has failed to provide a foreign policy vision", The Express Tribune, 2022
• [3] "Pakistan's relations with China are facing challenges", Business Recorder, 2022
• [4] "Pakistan's relationship with the US is at an inflection point", The News, 2022
• [5] "Pakistan's troubled neighbourhood demands a diplomatic effort", The Nation, 2022