Principles of Pakistan Foreign Policy | Ayesha Zeb

Introduction

No country today can think of a life independent of other nations. Every country has to
develop relations with other countries so as to meet its requirements in economical, industrial
and technological fields. It is thus necessary for every country to formulate a sound foreign
policy. Pakistan is an important third world country, in its developmental stage. It also has
formulated her foreign policy keeping in mind its geography, politics and economics.

Definition & Description of Foreign Policy

“The foreign policy of a country is in a sense a projection of its internal policies i.e. social,
political and economic.” Foreign policy dictates how a country will act with respect to other
countries politically, socially, economically, and militarily, and to a somewhat lesser extent, how
it behaves towards non-state actors. It is a strategy or combination of strategies carefully
formulated by one state for maintaining relationship with other states and non state actors for
protection and promotion of national interests.1

Principles of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

Following are the basic principles of Pakistan's Foreign Policy:

1. Protection of Freedom and Sovereignty

Pakistan came into being after great sacrifices of million of Muslims. Like any other
country, she also considers with deep regard the need for preservation of its independence

1. Abdul Sattar, Pakistan's Foreign Policy,1947- 2005: A Concise History, (Oxford

University Press, 2007).
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and does not allow any country to harm its freedom. Therefore, the principle of protection
of independence and sovereignty is the corner stone of Pakistan's.2

2. Cordial Relations with Muslim Countries

Pakistan always tries to establish cordial and friendly relations with Muslim countries. It
has always moved its concern against Israel, India and U.S.S.R capturing Palestine,
Kashmir and Afghanistan respectively. She has shouldered high responsibilities and used
her influence for safeguarding the rights of the Muslims. Pakistan is also an active
member of the Islamic Conference.

3. Non-Interference in Internal Affairs of Other Countries

Pakistan has sought to establish normal and friendly relations with all countries especially
in neighbouring countries, on the basis of universally acknowledge the principle of
national sovereignty, non use of force, non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

4. Implementation of U.N Charter

Pakistan's policy is to act upon UN charter and to support all moves by the UN to
implement it. Pakistan has been the member of UN since the year of its birth.

2. Abdul Sattar, Pakistan's Foreign Policy 1947-2012: A Concise History, 3rd ed. (Oxford
University Press, 2013).

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5. Promotion of World Peace

Pakistan's policy is to promote peace among nations. It has no aggressive designs against
any country. Neither does it support any such action. Pakistan has always held that the
international disputes should be settled through negotiations rather than non-battlefield.3

6. Non-Alignment
Pakistan follows the policy of Non-Alignment i.e. to keep away from alignment with any
big power bloc, and avoids taking sides in the cold war. It has also given up its
association with SEATO and CENTO and was included in NAM in 1979.

7. Support for Self-Determination and Condemnation of Racial Discrimination

Pakistan is a stomach supporter of the right of self-determination and has been in the fore
front of efforts to eliminate colonialism and racism. It has advocated the right of self-
determination of Kashmir.4
8. Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament

Pakistan is deeply conscious of the fact that international peace and security cannot be
achieved and sustained in the world with arms. Disarmament is the imperative condition
for truly durable peace in the world. Pakistan has a vital stake in promotion of
disarmament both in the nuclear and conventional fields. It is included in the principles of
its foreign policy that a collective endeavor by countries at the regional level to promote
disarmament and enhance security at the lowest possible level of armaments is an
indispensable result to their advocacy of global disarmament.

3. Shahid Amin, Pakistan's Foreign Policy: A Reappraisal, (Oxford University Press, 2000).

4. Aparna Pande, Explaining Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Escaping India, (Routledge, 2011).

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9. Member of International Organization

Pakistan had become the member of the British Commonwealth with the time of its
establishment. In addition it is the member of United Nations (U.N), Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM), Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO), South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC),
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and D-Eight. Being a member of
International Organizations the objectives of Pakistan are to struggle for world peace, to
unify the Muslim countries and to promote regional co-operation.5

5. S. M. Burke, Lawrence Ziring, Pakistan's Foreign Policy: An Historical Analysis, (Oxford

University Press, 1990).