Domestic politics and foreign policy
TRADITIONALLY the foreign policy of Pakistan has always been influenced and impacted by domestic politics of its political parties.With regards to its foreign policy, the broader criteria; stated objectives and contours remained the same, however, the implementation strategies varied overtime.
This infers an inconsistency in the foreign policy pursuit by various governments. The inconsistency in the pursuit and implementation of foreign policy over the decades resulted into relegation of national interests of the country and promotion of political interests of political parties of Pakistan.
These strategies made the foreign policy of Pakistan as regime/individual driven rather state driven foreign policy based on its national and strategic objectives.
This dilemma in the foreign policy of Pakistan is continuing even today, after seven decades of its birth as an independent country.
The biggest dilemma in the foreign policy is of Pakistan is a process of dictation by external forces having their linkages with various ruling elites.
Ideally, states formulate their foreign policies on a sound basis to pursue their national interests’ keeping in view the contemporary and future regional and global environment.
In this process, apart from international milieu, the domestic position of a state plays a dominant role in formulation of a sound and futuristic foreign policy.
In a way, the foreign policy can be regarded as the sum total of the domestic polices of a state but not the policies of political parties and elites.
Article 40 of the Constitution of Pakistan provides a clear guideline about the foreign policy of Pakistan.
In the light of these guidelines, the “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy seeks to protect, promote and advance Pakistan’s national interests in the external domain.
” For the promotion, protection and advancement of national interests of Pakistan, a strong domestic character of the state and its institutions is most desirable.
Whereas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs play a crucial role in the formulation and pursuance of foreign policy objectives, all other ministries and institutions and organizations supplement the Foreign Ministry with their input, areas of interests and future plans.
“Peace with all, and enmity with none” is the hallmark of Pakistan’s foreign policy as stated by the father of nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
While giving the outline of the state’s foreign policy in 1948, Quaid-i-Azam said, “Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and good-will towards all the nations of the world.
We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the policy of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world.
Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed of the United Nations Charter.
” During the initial years after its independence, Pakistan foreign policy remained a very effective instrument of its national interests.
Indeed, from 1947 to 1969, Pakistan remained a very active member of the international community.
Being part of the western world, Islamabad was able to pursue its national interests with lot of initiatives and drives. Pakistan had a very strong position at international level.
Two dominant domestic factors played key role during the initial two decades of Pakistani history.
It was the pivotal geopolitical location of the state and the national integration of Pakistani society.
The state and society of Pakistan acted as one unit under the strong ideological and sociological order.
Besides, all the state institutions worked well to their optimal position towards state and nation building.
There developed a strong bondage between masses, national institutions and the state.
In the post-1969, the governance system of the state starts getting weaker and weaker with each passing day.
The sub-nationalistic sentiments started taking roots and ruling elites failed to bridge these evolving fault lines.
Resultantly, Pakistan was disintegrated in 1971. No doubt, in this disintegration, the external powers and neighbouring India played negatively and aggressively but a lot was found wanting in the domestic politics of Pakistan, especially the elite class ruling the country at the time of disintegration and even before that.
The disintegration of Pakistan was result of a deviation from the basic concept of ideology of Pakistan, element of national power (integration and cohesion) and, above all, the grave aberration from the golden principle of; unity, faith and discipline.
To achieve national integration, the factors like religion, language, culture, tribes, castes and ethnicity though play significant role, yet need harnessing under a single factor; the nationalism.
The factors which led towards the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971 are getting stronger and stronger with each passing day.
There are three fault lines existing in Pakistan today One, the ethnic factor which is enlarging and strengthening in various parts of Pakistan with undesired motives and elite class and political parties are either quiet or indecisive over these dangerous trends.
Two, the sectarianism is dividing the society at wider level which is not being catered for by any one at the level of state.
Three, the growing radicalization under the cover of religion; TTP, TLP and some smaller religious groups are major indicators. Except TTP, no other group has been taken seriously by the state as yet.
Indeed, Quaid’s foreign policy vision clearly stipulates Pakistan’s steadfast adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, particularly the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other’s affairs and peaceful settlement of bilateral disputes.
Let’s strengthen the domestic character of the state where all institutions, provinces and masses contribute towards national harmony.
The political parties, the elites and the stakeholders must contribute positively towards national cohesion and integration through a national approach.
Indeed, a strong, well knitted and harmonized domestic character will greatly contribute towards national unity.
A domestically strong Pakistan can pursue its national interests with a lot of strength, flexibility, independence and foresight at international level through a well-conceived and well pursued foreign policy of Pakistan.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
