CSS Pakistan Affairs | Assess Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Under Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
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Outline
1- Introduction
2- Understanding the role of foreign policy in a country
3- Pakistan’s foreign policy before Z.A Bhutto
4- Positive features of foreign policy by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
- ✓Establishing non-alignment foreign policy with all countries
- ✓Ensuring Pakistan’s participation in regional cooperation
- ✓Focusing on Islamic solidarity and establishing relations with Muslim countries
- ✓Taking initiative for Nuclear power
- ✓Making new alliances with non-muslim countries
- ✓Taking a strong stance in the UN for national and international disputes
5- Negative features of Pakistan’s foreign policy by Z.A. Bhutto
- ✓Raising tension in Indo-Pak relations
- ✓Raising distrust by the USA
- ✓Neglected economic diplomacy
- ✓Socialist shade in foreign policy
- ✓Nuclear sanctions on Pakistan
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The foreign policy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Z.A. Bhutto) was a ray of hope for Pakistan in the international community. As Pakistan was facing a hard time due to the Indo-Pak War in 1965 that emerged during the reign of Ayub Khan and the sanctions imposed on Pakistan by the USA. Later, the separation of East Pakistan and several conflicts and rifts in Baluchistan worsened the situation. So, the need of the hour was to develop a foreign policy for the country to face all the challenges. Therefore, Z.A. Bhutto shaped Pakistan’s foreign policy to cope with the emerging challenges by making new alliances with Muslim and Non-muslim countries, joining regional cooperation, and taking a strong stance for Pakistan in the international community. Moreover, his policy had led Pakistan to raise its voice for Palestine. A military-centric policy emerged in his era as he initiated Nuclear programs for security reasons. Unfortunately, the cons of the policy are also faced by the country. The anti-America foreign policy leads to imposing sanctions on the country and international isolation in terms of the Western economic alliance. But overall, foreign policy by Z.A. Bhutto had uplifted the country from the challenges of the time.
Understanding the role of foreign policy in a country
Foreign policy is precisely called as the strategy of a country in international community, shaping its alliances and policies. As per Adel Ford and Lincoln, “Foreign policy is the totality of its dealing with the external environment.” Hill defined it as “Foreign policy is the content or a substance of a nation’s efforts to promote its interests with other nations.” So, it defines a country’s standing in the international community to shape its relationship with other countries.
Pakistan’s foreign policy before Z.A Bhutto
Pakistan was at the stake of several insurgencies when Z. A. Bhutto took the oath as PM of Pakistan. Earlier, in Ayub Khan’s era, he was appointed as Foreign Minister of Pakistan in 1963-66. In the duration of the India-Pakistan war, it emerged in 1965. and several insurgencies uplifted, and Pakistan’s handling of the Baluchistan Insurgencies shifted the trust of the international community in Pakistan. So, the country was having a tough time when Z.A. Bhutto shaped the foreign policy of Pakistan. Moreover, previously, Pakistan’s foreign policy was USA-centric, and it had a tough time when the 1965 war emerged, which imposed sanctions on Pakistan and denied all aid, either military or financial. Therefore, the country is required to shift its foreign policy preferences.
Positive features of Z.A. Bhutto’s foreign policy
- ✓Establishing non-alignment foreign policy with all countries
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had shifted the country’s foreign policy’s focus towards non-alignment foreign policy. After getting betrayed by the USA in the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, the country’s foreign policy was shifted towards non-alignment. The country had developed and maintained equal distance with the USA and USSR. The policy emphasized the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan, non-interference in the internal affairs of the country by the international community, and international relations based on equality and peaceful coexistence with other countries.
- ✓Ensuring Pakistan’s participation in regional cooperation
Pakistan has started joining regional alliances in the area after a non-alignment policy to gain economic strength. In 1964, Z.A. Bhutto laid the foundation of Regional Cooperation for Development with Turkey and Iran. RCD was converted into an Economic Cooperation Organization. Both initiatives were to gain economic prosperity of the countries and to cope with security threats within the countries and among the international community. Moreover, the move has reduced the dependency of Pakistan on external powers; as a result, the non-alignment policy was strengthened.
- ✓Focusing on Islamic solidarity and establishing relations with Muslim countries
The country had established relations with Muslim countries based on shared values of Muslim countries, and common challenges the countries were focusing. Pakistan’s relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Turkey and Libya were strengthened for financial assistance. Moreover, the ties also focused on overcoming security threats, peace promotion and solidarity of Islam. Pakistan had conducted regular Islamic foreign ministers conferences, discussing international issues and resolving them. It had signed several trade agreements with Muslim countries.
- ✓Taking the Initiative for Nuclear power
Bhutto’s foreign policy was nuclear-centred as he was a believer in Nuclear deterrence, specifically due to threats from India. He refused to sign a non-proliferation nuclear treaty (NPT) for Pakistan. He sought assistance from China for gaining nuclear support in the form of uranium enrichment and missile technology. This empowered Pakistan’s solidarity and reduced the influence of India on Pakistan and Israel on the Muslim world.
- ✓Making new alliances with non-muslim countries
As part of non-alignment foreign policy Pakistan had made moderate relations with other countries also. The USA’s move had paved the path for Pakistan to develop and normalize relations with other countries. Therefore, Pakistan had established ties with China and USSR. Although normalization of relations with USSR were not settled but it developed friendly relations with China, supporting economy and military assistance.
- ✓Taking a strong stance in the UN for national and international disputes
Bhutto’s foreign policy had facilitated Pakistan’s position on international level. He raised the country’s voice on Kashmir issue. Moreover, Pakistan had opposed colonialism and supported liberation movements worldwide. For instance, it had raised voice for Palestinians against Isreal’s brutal action. And it also supported anti-apartheid movements in South Africa on the UN’s platform.
Negative features of Z.A. Bhutto’s foreign policy
- ✓Raising tension in Indo-Pak relations
Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir accession and anti-India speeches delivered by the Prime Minister of the country had raised tension among both countries. Moreover, the country supported the Sikh separatist movement in India, which added fuel to the fire. Pakistan’s claim on the Siachen Glaciers had ignited territorial disputes between both countries. Additionally, the country’s refusal to agree to a peace pact pushed both countries into a never-ending rivalry.
- ✓Raising distrust of the USA
Bhutto’s non-alignment policies and his personification of foreign policy as socialist policies ignite distrust of the USA for Pakistan. Moreover, the USA dislikes Pakistan’s efforts to acquire nuclear power. Henry Kissinger had stated that “He and Nixon were not unreceptive to Mr. Bhutto’s request, it could not be met because of strong opposition in the United States Congress.”He showed little sympathy for Mr. Bhutto and considerable disapproval of his style. Additionally, he stated that Mr. Bhutto’s “anti-American tune” played to “serve his domestic purposes” and his “cynical conduct” from time to time had created a “legacy of distrust” that haunted him within our government throughout his political life.
- ✓Neglected economic diplomacy
Although Bhutto’s foreign policy was concerned on regional alliances but he missed several economic trading opportunities. As it did not produce fruitful economic aspects from CARS and Middle east. Moreover, his motive of nationalization of industries had deterred the foreign investment in the country. His anti-America Tune had hindered aid by the USA. And he denied currency devalue scheme that had created drastic effects for Pakistan.
- ✓Socialist shade in foreign policy
Bhutto’s non-alignment policy on one hand was in favour of the country, it had generated several conflicts in international community. This was seen in the case of the USA, which had shown distrust in Pakistan’s socialist policy. Moreover, it led Pakistan towards Western isolation that had adversely affected economic alliances and cooperation with Pakistan. Socialist centred policies had decreased foreign investment in Pakistan and negatively affected industrialization.
- ✓Nuclear sanctions on Pakistan
Bhutto’s fast moves in the name of deterrence towards the nuclear weapon race and anti-USA policy had accelerated the imposition of nuclear sanctions on Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan’s refusal to sign NPT had worsened the condition for Pakistan. The sanctions include US Glenn Amendment sanctions, US Symington Amendment sanctions, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) restrictions and European Economic Community (EEC) sanctions. They had paved the path of destruction of economic cooperation by the country.
Conclusion
All in all, Bhutto’s foreign policy was a ray of hope for the country. His policy strengthened Pakistan’s position in the international community and established ties on moderation with other countries. He assembled Muslim state cooperation for resolving conflicts among Muslim countries, including Pakistan’s own crisis. The country joined a regional alliance to reduce dependency on international external powers. However, the country had faced sanctions due to anti-American foreign policy and socialist shade of foreign policy, damaging the country’s economic progress.
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