Introduction to Pakistan’s Foreign Policy – Outline by ZAHID AZIZ

KHAN

1. Foreign policy: General objectives that guide the activities and relationships
of one state in its interactions with other states. The development of
foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, the policies or
behavior of other states, or plans to advance specific geopolitical designs.

2. Constants in Pakistan’s foreign policy

a. Consistently pro-west
b. Security ridden
c. India centric
d. Dependent on foreign largesse
e. Prone to Muslim World

3. Factors in Making of Pakistan’s Foreign policy

a. Geo-political factor
b. Historical factor
c. Ideological factor
d. Economic factor
e. Technological factor
f. Provincial-ethnic factor
g. Internally, externally

4. Historical Analysis
PHASE 1:
a. 1947-1953: Exploration & friendship with all
b. 1953 – 1962 : Alignment (SEATO, CENTO)
c. 1962 – 1971 : Transition – rethinking about the alignment policy
d. 1972 – 1979 : Bilateralism & Non Alignment
e. 1980 – 90 : Afghanistan & Partnership with USA
f. 1990– 2001 : Post Cold war Era & Pakistan Dilemmas
POST 9/11
a. Counter terrorism
b. 2011 – till date
c. Rethinking change and continuity

5. Challenges
a. Internal challenges
 Governance
 Economy
 Energy
 Civil-military relations
 Institutional reforms
 National agenda vs. Institutional agenda
 Credible civilian alternative

b. External Challenges
 The Afghan challenge – Protracted conflict coming to an end
 The Eastern Border challenge
 Pakistan’s Kashmir policy options
 Relations with our global neighbor (USA)
 CPEC
 Iran, GCC relations
 Re-aligning geo strategy with geo-economy
 Moving from security state perception to role of a transit state

6. Pakistan’s relation with

a. neighbors
b. Great powers
c. Muslim World
Conclusion – Foreign Policy begins at home

Sources:
1. Dr. Hassan Asakri’s Write-up – PILDAT
2. Write-up on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy by Zahid Aziz Khan – available at
JWT’s bookshop
3. Shamshad Ahmed Khan’s Book, Published by JWT : Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
dilemma
4. Newspaper articles:
 Ashraf Jahngir Kazi – Dawn Article “Pakistan’s foreign policy
challenges” , “Modi’s final solution”
 Munir Akram – Dawn Article “Pakistan’s Kashmir strategy”, “Pakistan
Sino-us cold war”
 Muhammad Amir Rana – Dawn: “Dignity in Foreign Relations”