CSS 2016 Solved Current Affairs Past Papers | Post 9/11 Role of Pakistan in Global Politics
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Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you two things: first, the post-9/11 foreign policy of Pakistan, and second, your opinion on the role of Pakistan in Regional and Global politics in the near future. So, introduce your answer by adding all the essential points you will add to your answer. Then, write a background that contextualizes your answer. Split your answer into two parts, and end your answer with a conclusion
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Understanding the Background of Pakistan’s Policy Choices Post 9/11
3-Key Elements of the Post 9/11 Foreign Policy of Pakistan
- ✓Pak-US Alliance in the Global War on Terror (1999)
- ✓Complex Afghanistan Policy
- ✓Balancing Position in the Pak-US and Pak-China Relations
- ✓Cautious Policy Regarding Indo-Pak Relations
- ✓Economic Diplomacy
4-Role of Pakistan in Regional and Global Politics in the Near Future
- ✓Role in the Regional Organizations
- ✓Mediation Role in Afghanistan, Internal Security and Counter-Terrorism
- ✓Balancing Position in the Pak-US and Pak-China Relations
- ✓Regarding Indo-Pak Relations
- ✓Climate-Change Diplomacy
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The foreign policy of a country defines its relations with other countries; however, in the case of Pakistan, relations with its arch-rival India and insecurity state-Afghanistan define the policy choices. Therefore, the country’s foreign policy reflected the self-abnegation where situational factors made the country opt for certain policy choices, whether in the post-soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1978-88) or post 9/11 (War on Terror). The following elements elaborate the post-9/11 foreign policy of the country. First, the state opted for a virtual alliance with the US and remained a frontline state in the global War on Terror in 1999, facilitating the US interests in Afghanistan. The pro-US approach shifted the country’s foreign policy concerning Afghanistan, where it supported the US-backed government in Kabul and provided the logistics support, intelligence services, and military bases for the US operations in Afghanistan. Second, it opted for a balanced position in maintaining its relations with its strategic partners, namely the US and China. Despite severe tensions, it maintained a cautious policy toward India and avoided direct conflict. Third, it made economic diplomacy part of its post-9/11 policy. According to Abdul Sattar, the former foreign secretary of the state, described in his book, Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2019 that as a result of its support in the War on Terror, the US uplifted democratic sanctions by the Brownback-II Amendment, nuclear sanctions by Ackerman Amendment in 2004 for five-years, and resumed economic aid and military sales. Regarding its role in regional and global politics in the near future, the state may opt for rational policy choices to balance its position at the national and international level for its economic interests. Therefore, it may increase its role in regional organizations as a part of its economic and Climate diplomacy. However, it may play a mediatory role between the Afghan factions and the international community to boast its counter-terrorism efforts. In addition, it may opt for diplomatic engagements with India for economic and security reasons and a balanced approach in US-Pak and Sino-Pak relations for its strategic and economic interests. To conclude, it’s high time to have a clear foreign policy that works best for its economic and security interests because the state is in no position to take sides or become a part of any bloc in the wake of lingering economic issues.
Understanding the Background of Pakistan’s Policy Choices Post 9/11
On 11 September 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the US, where more than 3000 people were killed and financial losses amounted to a hundred billion dollars. However, the US media accused Osama bin Laden of this never-imagined assault; thus, they held the Taliban government responsible. Moreover, the country had to face the repercussions of being the sole supporter of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. President Musharraf called for a high-level meeting on the evening of 12 September to discuss the policy options. The country had to avoid opposition to US policy to safeguard itself from provoking US hostility. The UN security had already imposed sanctions on Afghanistan because they provided sanctuary and a base to Osama bin Ladin for its military activities. So, the country had only the choice of cooperation with the UN under Chapter VIII, which provisioned for ‘Compulsory Compliance.’ If it had not supported the US, it might have been labeled as a terrorist state, the Kashmir struggle as a terrorist insurgency, and its vital interests might get a setback if the US gave India a hand against Pakistan. As Abdul Sattar, the former foreign secretary of the state, described in his book, Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2019 “the question while the formulation of the policy was not whether the country could take advantage of its strategic location for economic or political benefits from the United States; the decisive factor was the predictable cost of non-cooperation.”So, the state opted for cautious cooperation in a UN-approved action against the Taliban. Nonetheless, these were only the feasible policy options to elude non-cooperation while maintaining the cultural bonds with Afghanistan. Thus, the yes-but approach provided the country a tactical flexibility to secure its strategic interests.
Key Elements of the Post 9/11 Foreign Policy of Pakistan
The following elements elaborate the post-9/11 foreign policy of the country.
- ✓Pak-US Alliance in the Global War on Terror (1999)
First, the country remained a frontline state in the global War on Terror in 1999, facilitating the US interests in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, this step brought significant financial aid and military support to the country. One unique aspect of the cooperation was that the US passed an act in December 2004, assuring continued support after the expiry of the five-year package in 2009. As Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, said in December 2004, Pakistan has become a vital ally of the US in the war on terror. Regardless, the decision to become aligned with the US was made while predicting the costs of non-cooperation, not because of the possibility of economic benefits from the US by exploiting its strategic location. In contrast, its foreign policy shifted after the US-led drone attacks on the northern areas that killed innocent lives and threatened its internal security. Hence, the US-Pak partnership remained on and off during 2001-2016.
- ✓Complex Afghanistan Policy
Second, the country’s virtual alignment with the US made it shift from pro-Taliban policy, which it has been maintaining since the 1980s. As a result, a complex shift in foreign policy happened towards Afghanistan that had meant to support the US-backed government in Kabul, provide the logistics support, intelligence sharing, and military bases (Shahbaz in Jacobabad and Shamsie in Balochistan)for the US operations in Afghanistan. However, the country has maintained complex relations with some factions of the Taliban to protect cultural and geographic bonds, long-term considerations, and its strategic interests in the region. As Abdul Sattar, the former foreign secretary of the state, described in his book, Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2019, circumspect cooperation in a UN-approved action against the Taliban emerged as an appropriate option. Its part includes that the country could not and should not antagonize US attacks on targets in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the yes-but approach provided tactical flexibility where the state balanced the global and regional constraints, national priorities, and immediate requirements.
- ✓Balancing Position in the Pak-US and Pak-China Relations
Third, the country opted for a balanced position in maintaining its relations with both long-term strategic partners, the US and all-time partner China. As the scholars, Muhammad Ahmad and Rehana Saeed Hashmi describe in the research article, Pakistan Foreign Policy Choices in Post 9/11 Period: Options and Challenges “under the rational choice theory, Pakistan had entered into negotiations with China regarding China Pakistan’s Economic Corridor CPEC under the umbrella of One Belt One Road initiative to connect across continents. The Zardari Regime showed flexibility to the uninterested behavior of the US and bent toward China and other regional powers.” Moreover, a cautious policy highlighted the reason for cooperation with the US for regional peace and against terrorism. So, this approach has remained central to its foreign policy post 9/11 to balance the relations with both countries.
- ✓Cautious Policy Regarding Indo-Pak Relations
Nevertheless, the country has maintained a cautious policy toward India and avoided direct conflict. The tensions between the two countries increased after the 9/11 attacks when India accused Pakistan of its involvement in cross-border terrorism, such as the Parliament attack in 2002 and the Mumbai attacks in 2008. As a result, the US pressurized the country to curb terrorist activities by military operations, but the state has maintained its policy. However, the major policy changes happened on trade between 2008-10. As Abdul Sattar, the former foreign secretary of the state, described in his book, Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2019, Islamabad reduced the number of items non-importable from India from 1209 to 936 and opened the Wagah route while New-Delhi cut its negative list by thirty percent. The shift of political power from Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Narendra Modi shifted the policy from talks to cut-off. Later, the Pulwama attack of 2019 and the revocation of the autonomous status of Kashmir worsened the relations between the countries, resulting in a continued cut-off.
- ✓Economic Diplomacy
Although the country did not bargain with a deal, it was mindful of the significance of its contribution to the fight against terrorism. Hence, the economic aid from the US and other countries was primarily based on reciprocity. As a result, the US uplifted democratic sanctions by the Brownback-II Amendment, nuclear sanctions by the Ackerman Amendment in 2004 for five years, and resumed economic aid and military sales. As Abdul Sattar, the former foreign secretary of the state, described in his book, Pakistan Foreign Policy 1947-2019, from 2001 to 2007, the US transferred total financial aid amounted to $7.1 billion, including $2.3 billion in military assistance, development assistance, earthquake relief, $1.6 billion in debt, budgetary support, and $4.8 billion in reimbursement of expenditures on logistic support to US forces in Afghanistan. The country sought to rebuild its economy through international partnerships and economic aid through the US, IMF, and World Bank; however, the focus shifted towards economic reforms, enhanced trade relations with China and other Gulf countries, and infrastructural development.
Role of Pakistan in Regional and Global Politics in the Near Future
The state’s foreign policy has always reflected self-abnegation, where situational factors made the country opt for certain choices. So, the nation can opt for a rational choice to balance its standing at the national and global levels. Because of its strategic importance, its role can shape its standing in regional and international politics.
- ✓Role in the Regional Organizations
First, the country may increase its role in regional organizations, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and in the inter-governmental organizations like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) as a part of its economic diplomacy. Nonetheless, the lingering financial crisis and faltering economy will not allow it to take sides in the emerging world order. Furthermore, these platforms have the potential to provide opportunities for the country to influence regional security, trade, and political discussions, especially about South Asia and the Muslim world.
- ✓Mediation Role in Afghanistan, Internal Security and Counter-Terrorism
Second, it may play a role as a mediator between the Afghan factions and the international community. Historically, the country has supported the Afghan Taliban, viewing it as a buffer to neutralize the Indian factor. So, the country may contribute to initiating dialogues between the Afghan-led government and the international community to promote peace and security in the region. Because the country’s role in Afghanistan remains pivotal for regional and internal security. So, its role as a mediator helps it improve its internal security and promote regional stability by coordinating with the international community for counter-terrorism.
- ✓Balancing Position in the Pak-US and Pak-China Relations
Third, the country may opt for a cautious economic policy in the wake of the events, such as the US policy of containment of China and China’s ambitions of reviving the Silk Route. However, it is inevitable for the country to opt for a balanced and clear approach toward both countries for its strategic interest in economic, trade, counter-terrorism, and security horizons. Moreover, navigating these complex relationships will be a key to its foreign policy.
- ✓Regarding Indo-Pak Relations
Fourth, the country may opt for diplomatic engagements with India for economic and security reasons. However, the resumption of the talks is unlikely to happen due to the persisting situation in Kashmir. Nonetheless, the country needs to maintain its stance on Kashmir while avoiding any confrontation with India. However, maintaining cautious relations with India is the need of the hour to balance the relations with the US and China because the US-Indo nexus is likely to disrupt the balance of power in the region.
- ✓Climate-Change Diplomacy
Fifth, because of its greater vulnerability to the effects of climate change, its role in climate-change diplomacy may increase in the coming years. It can increase its diplomatic engagements, particularly with the global contributors to global warming, such as the US, China, and India, to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change through funds and by reinstating global efforts to decrease carbon footprints.
Conclusion
To conclude, the state’s role as a frontline state in the Global War on Terror in 2001 precluded it from being labeled as a terrorist state. However, alignment with the US highlighted path dependency that compelled it to take sides. It also demonstrated its non-negotiable stance on the liberation of Kashmir because it was one of the reasons for taking the side of the US. Moving forward, its role in regional and global politics in the near future is likely to shape its political and economic standing at the international level. So, having a clear policy concerning Afghanistan and India may help it to achieve long-term financial and strategic interests. Nonetheless, it requires a balancing position in its relations with the US and emerging global power-China. Taking sides may not be a wise option, but it can prove detrimental to its strategic and economic interests.
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