IEW: Has our foreign policy failed? —Mohammad Jamil

Though a majority of political parties and leaders in Pakistan wish to have cordial relations with the US and the west, a great number of people do not like the way they resort to arm-twisting and using a long stick and a short carrot

Our foreign policy has been susceptible to manipulation because of internal political and economic instability brought about by flawed policies of successive governments that looked towards western nations or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) for aid and loans. Our dependency syndrome has been the reason for buckling under the pressure exerted by the US after 9/11. The objective of any country’s foreign policy is to have cordial relations with other nations, especially neighbouring ones, and to safeguard its own national security, independence and sovereignty. Pakistan’s foreign policy has been flawed since the very beginning. In the 1950s, Arab countries like Egypt, Syria, Libya, etc, were unhappy with Pakistan because it had joined the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) and Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO), and entered into a bilateral agreement with the US. The newly independent and non-aligned nations were suspicious of our role; the socialist bloc considered Pakistan as their enemy, and the US-led western powers thought of Pakistan as no more than a pawn in the international political chessboard.

Today, the US and other western countries as well as Iran and Afghanistan suspect that Pakistan is working against their interests in order to protect its own. Despite our tremendous sacrifices in the war against terror, the west is still pushing Pakistan to the precipice. As if the innuendos by members of the Obama administration were not enough, British Prime Minister (PM) David Cameron accused Pakistan of exporting terrorism during his recent visit to India. Had he passed such remarks in Britain, one would not have seen a debate raging in the media nor the anger on the streets because the nation is quite used to disparaging remarks and insults heaped on Pakistan by the US. The furore has been unleashed by his presence in a rival country. On Monday, the foreign minister summoned the British high commissioner (HC). Keeping in view the seriousness of the matter, ‘inviting’ the HC to the Foreign Office was not enough. To lodge a protest and show displeasure, the meeting with the additional secretary of foreign affairs would have been more appropriate.

According to the official statement given later, Shah Mehmood Qureshi ‘explained’ to HC Adam Thomson that “terrorism was a global issue that had to be dealt with in a spirit of cooperation”. Mr Thomson is reported to have said that Britain wanted to have good and cordial relations with Pakistan. But this is no explanation. To make things worse, the PM Cameron’s spokeswoman said, “He (Cameron) was referring to elements within Pakistan supporting terrorism, not the Pakistani government,” while adding that the PM stood by his statement. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has met Mr Cameron though a considerable section of the public and intelligentsia were opposed to the trip. Questions were raised about Zardari’s embarking on trips abroad while numerous catastrophes are clobbering the people at home. In such conditions, scheduled meetings are normally postponed. On his outrageous charge sheet against Pakistan in India, David Cameron drew flak from some elements in Britain for showing disregard to diplomatic norms.

Britain’s former Foreign Secretary David Miliband had also taken exception to the PM’s remarks, describing them as foolish and undiplomatic. Miliband reportedly said, “There is a difference in straight talk and being a loudmouth.” He also advised Cameron to understand that “a man is endowed with one mouth and two ears, and he should use them in that proportion”. But our political leaders are oblivious to fact that the country is in dire straits, blighted not only by galloping lawlessness, crime, extremism and terrorism but also by a sagging economy, runaway inflation, rampant unemployment and mounting poverty. Externally, the country is being held to account for the foibles, lapses and failures of others in the fight against terrorism and is being pressurised to do what they themselves should have done. To say the least, the challenges that the nation faces both at home and abroad are gigantic and daunting. If the ruling elite does not change course and keeps on treading down the beaten track, the country is sure to hit the rocks, for which posterity will never forgive them.

Our leadership should also learn to guard national honour and dignity in relation to other nations. In January 2010, Israel had summoned Turkey’s envoy to express its anger at a Turkish television series depicting Israeli agents and diplomats trying to kidnap and convert Muslim children. Without informing the ambassador, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon invited the media as well, seating the ambassador across a table with only the Israeli flag on it. On this, Turkey had threatened to recall its representative from Israel over such humiliation. When Ayalon refused to tender an apology, Israeli President Shimon Peres and PM Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded the foreign ministry to issue a clear apology, which it finally did.

Though a majority of political parties and leaders in Pakistan wish to have cordial relations with the US and the west, a great number of people do not like the way they resort to arm-twisting and using a long stick and a short carrot. In contrast, our leaders, whether in government or in the opposition, only mumble when they are supposed to raise their voices. Only the military has expressed its anger by cancelling the trip of the Inter Services Intelligence’s higher-ups to Britain. Whether the government functionaries take note of the badmouthing that Pakistan has been receiving lately, and also go through the allegations contained in the WikiLeaks documents with a view to understanding the real motives behind their actions remains to be seen.

The writer is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at mjamil1938@hotmail.com