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Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Contents
Introduction
Definition & Description of Foreign Policy
Quaid’s Vision of Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Foreign Policy Making Agencies Of Pakistan
Basic Goals of Pakistan's Foreign Policy
Guiding Principles of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Protection of Freedom and Sovereignity
Cordial Relations with Muslim Countries
Non-Interference in Internal Affairs of Other Countries
Implementation of U.N Charter
Promotion of World Peace
Non-Alignment
Support for Self-Determination and Condemnation of Racial Discrimination
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
Member of International Organization
Objectives of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Elements Effecting Foreign Policy
Importance
Conclusion
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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.
Quaid’s Vision of Foreign Policy of Pakistan
The father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam defined Foreign Policy towards other
countries of the world in 1948, as follows:
”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 peoples of
the world and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
Foreign Policy Making Agencies Of Pakistan
Foreign policy making agency of Pakistan are as follows:
President
Prime Minister.
Chief of Army Staff.
Parliament
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Intelligence Agencies
Political Parties
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Basic Goals of Pakistan's Foreign Policy
Maintenance of territorial integrity.
Maintenance of its political independence.
Acceleration of social and economic development.
Strengthening its place on the globe.
Keeping cordial and friendly relations with all countries.
Guiding Principles of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Following are the basic principles of Pakistan's Foreign Policy:
1. Protection of Freedom and Sovereignity
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 and does not allow any country to harm its freedom. Therefore, the
principle of protection of independence and sovereignity is the corner stone of
Pakistan's Foreign Policy.
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 sovereignity, 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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Objectives of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Following are the objectives/aims of Pakistan’s foreign policy:
National Security
Territorial Integrity
Economic well-being
National Prestige
Elements Effecting Foreign Policy
The political organization found in a country also greatly influences the foreign
policy.
For example under authoritarian systems quick foreign policy decisions are taken.
The press also plays a vital role in foreign policy formulation process. The
nature of political accountability prevailing in a system also greatly influence the
foreign policy of the state.
The leadership also plays a vital role in the shaping of a country’s foreign policy.
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The great power structure prevailing in the world politics also greatly influence
the policy of a country.
While making foreign policy the state has to take note of the international law,
treaties and contracts.
While formulating its foreign policy a country has to take note of the reaction of
other states to its various actions.
Alliances concluded by various states also greatly influence the foreign policy.
The world public opinion also influences the state’s foreign policy.
Importance
Foreign policy is the name of running country’s affairs
Maintain the relationship between one country to another
Safeguarding the interests of country
Keeping the state safe an secure
Conclusion
The guiding principles of Pakistan's Foreign Policy are rooted in the country's Islamic
ideology, its rich cultural heritage and historical experience. As an Islamic and
non-aligned country, Pakistan supports Islamic causes and firmly upholds the above
mentioned principles, which hold out the promise of a just and equitable world order
in which nations can live in peace and security.