Dr. Syed Mehboob
Senior Business and Political Analyst
http//: www.thenewslark.com
Diplomacy is the art, and science, of how nations, groups, or individuals conduct their affairs, in ways that safeguard their interests and promote their political, economic, or social relations, while maintaining peaceful relationships. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan and its first Governor-General, in a broadcast talk to the people of the USA in February 1948, outlined the following goals of Pakistan’s foreign policy:
“ Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations in the world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principles 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 people of the world, and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
The Constitution of Pakistan also lays down guidelines for the conduct of foreign policy of the country. Article 40 of the constitution provides that:
“ The State shall endeavor to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international dispute by peaceful means.
The foreign policy of Pakistan is primarily directed at the pursuit of national goals of seeking peace and stability through international cooperation. Special emphasis is laid on economic diplomacy to take advantage offered by the process of globalization as also to face the challenges of the 21st century. Our foreign policy is also geared to project the image of the country as a dynamic and moderate society. The foreign policy of Pakistan seeks to promote the internationally recognized norms of interstate relations, i.e. respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, non-interference in the internal affairs of other States; non-aggression, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Pakistan has therefore always sought to develop friendly and cordial relations with all countries of the world.
In light of the guiding principles laid down by the founding fathers and the constitution as also the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the objectives of foreign policy can be summarized as under:
- Promotion of Pakistan as a dynamic, progressive, moderate, and democratic Islamic country.
- Developing friendly relations with all countries of the world, especially major powers and immediate neighbors
- Safeguarding national security and geostrategic interests, including Kashmir
- Consolidating our commercial and economic cooperation with the International Community
- Safeguarding the interests of Pakistani Diaspora abroad.
- Ensuring optimal utilization of national resources for regional and international cooperation
The year 2024 was a successful and active year for Pakistan’s diplomacy with a focus on enhancing Pakistan’s international image and strengthening relations with countries around the world. During the year 2024, high-level visits were exchanged with the following countries:
- Azerbaijan 2. Belarus 3. Belgium 4. China 5. Egypt 6. Gambia 7. Iran 8. Jordan 9. Kazakhstan 10. Qatar 11. Malaysia 12. Russia Samoa 14. Saudi Arabia 15. Tajikistan 16. Turkiye 17. Turkmenistan 18. The UAE 19. Uzbekistan 20. The United Kingdom
President Asif Ali Zardari visited Turkmenistan to attend the International Forum on “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations-Basis of Peace and Development “held in Ashgabat on 10-11 October 2024.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Shehbaz undertook visits to the following countries:
- Azerbaijan 2. China 3. Egypt 4. Iran 5. Kazakhstan 6. Qatar 7. Saudi Arabia 8. Tajikistan 9. The UAE
During 2024, Pakistan hosted several high-level dignitaries. Leadership-level visits took place from the following countries:
- Azerbaijan 2. Belarus 3. China 4. Iran 5. Kazakhstan 6. Malaysia 7. Mongolia 8. Qatar 9. Russia 10. Saudi Arabia 11. Tajikistan 12. Uzbekistan
Senior Cabinet Minister of China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Germany, Qatar, Russia and the United Kingdom visited Pakistan. The United Nations High Commissionaire for Refugees, Secretary General Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia ( CICA), and the secretary generals of the South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation ( SAARC), IMO, and the Common Wealth also undertook visits to Pakistan in 2024. In 2024 major transformation and far-reaching development have been witnessed in the region and worldwide. Political changes in Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia meant foreign policy adaptation and adjustments by countries worldwide based on equality, mutual interests, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Pakistan promoted dialogue and continued consultation with friendly countries on global and regional issues.
Pakistan continued its policy of robust engagement with close partners and friends. It reinforced its traditional partnership with China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the Wider Islamic World. These relationships are based on mutual trust and the tradition of robust dialogue and exchange of bilateral visits.
The traditional warmth marked the year 2024 and high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif undertook an official visit to China in June 2024 while Chinese Prime Minister Li Qian visited Pakistan in October 2024. Pakistan and China also held the fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogues in Beijing in May 2024. During these high-level visits and exchanges, the two countries reached an extensive consensus on further consolidating and deepening the Pakistan-China All Weather Strategic Cooperation Partnership and promoting practical cooperation in diverse fields with a special focus on CPEC.
There was a robust exchange of high-level engagements between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook four visits to Saudi Arabia which consolidated our strategic and economic partnership. Important understandings were reached with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in political security and economic domains and to translate the commitment between Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prince Mohammad bin Salman to expedite the investment package worth US$ five billion.
Trade and investment opportunities also remained a key focus of Pakistan’s bilateral engagement with Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait. Pakistan and Iran were successfully able to move forward through robust and active diplomatic engagement and high-level dialogue with the official visit of Late President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi official visit to Pakistan from 22nd to 24th April 2024, the two countries developed an understanding of political, economic, and security matters.
Afghanistan remained a priority on the agenda of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach. Trade connectivity and people-to-people contacts were a priority in Pakistan’s engagement with Afghanistan including in the Moscow format talks held in Moscow in November 2024 and the third quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia. The ministers reiterated their support for Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
The first Pakistan -Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit was held in Astana Kazakhstan in July 2024. During the high-level engagement with Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, important understandings were reached to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation in energy, transport, and infrastructure.
A new era of friendship and cooperation was started with Bangladesh and after 51 years first direct ship reached Bangladesh and the Pakistan army is now going to trend the Bangladesh Army.
These diplomatic moves show great achievement for Pakistan and Insha Allah Pakistan’s future is very bright.
