Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal |
Pakistan internal and external situation is complex. The transformation in the global politics and change of government in the country are necessitating a serious and constructive approach towards domestic and external challenges. The continuity of democratic political system despite the disqualification of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif underscores the maturity of both political leadership and political system.
Peace and stability in Afghanistan is a high priority for Pakistan. It has been doing its best for the restart of the intra-Afghan dialogue, which is imperative for bringing lasting peace to the country
The new Cabinet members (Foreign and Interior Ministers) are expressing their serious concerns over the presence of militant groups in Pakistan. The defense minister had courageously expressed the need to “put our own house in order” and keep a check on the banned organizations, such as the Jaish-i-Mohammad and Lashkar-i-Tayyaba. He admitted that these groups were operating from within Pakistan. The new Cabinet members seem determined to put their house in order.
Read more: Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: A tale of fear and resistance to change…
In simple terms, however, it is an admittance of the failure of the government to check the militancy within Pakistan. Interestingly, all of the current leading members of the Cabinet were part of the previous government. The transformation in the global politics has been shifting Washington focus from Islamabad to New Delhi. The American policy makers are convinced that Pakistan would not act as a frontline state against China.
President Trump accused Pakistan of harboring terrorist groups on its territory. He asked Pakistan to destroy Afghan Taliban/ Haqqani network sanctuaries located in Pakistan
Therefore, they have been cementing Indo-US strategic partnership to check China’s rise in the Global politics. The shift in the United States policy obliged Islamabad to revisit its foreign and strategic policy. Consequently, Pakistan’s relations with the Russian Federation have been improving. Currently, Pakistan, China, and Russia are working jointly to check the rise of Islamic State or Daesh influence in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s geostrategic location is very significant in the twenty-first century global and regional strategic environment.
Read more: Is the failing Foreign Policy causing a drop in remittances for…
It is a heartland of Eurasia. The increasing role of the Russians and Chinese in Afghanistan affairs is not acceptable to the United States. Washington considers Afghanistan its own area of influence. Since last seventeen years, the United States and NATO forces have been struggling to establish the writ of their puppet government in Afghanistan. Realistically speaking, neither former Karzai government nor current Ghani regime is successful in restoring peace in the country.
The Prime Minister Shahid K Abbasi arrived New York on September 18, 2017, to attend the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. He speaks in the General Assembly and also met the Americans high officials in New York
The Prime Minister Shahid K Abbasi arrived New York on September 18, 2017, to attend the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. He speaks in the General Assembly and also met the Americans high officials in New York. The important issues on the agenda of the Premier are the continuity of state terrorism in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, the genocide of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and increasing militancy in the neighborhood. Premier Abbassi met a few important leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Read more: Revisiting Pakistan’s foreign policy: Flaws and possible actions for rectification
He shared his governments’ position on key international political, social and development issues with the leaders of Turkey, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, the United Kingdom, Jordon, Nepal, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and US Vice President Mike Pence. Premier invited the American investors to invest in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister Shahid K Abbasi arrived New York on September 18, 2017, to attend the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. He speaks in the General Assembly and also met the Americans high officials in New York
Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua met the United States Undersecretary of State Tom Shannon on September 18, 2017. She conveyed him Pakistan’s perspective on the recent President Trump policy announcement pertaining to Afghanistan. President Trump accused Pakistan of harboring terrorist groups on its territory. He asked Pakistan to destroy Afghan Taliban/ Haqqani network sanctuaries located in Pakistan.
Read more: Fragile foreign policy: Pakistan at the mercy of a new super…
American believes that militant groups, which are fighting and killing Americans in Afghanistan, a few of them, have safe havens in Pakistan. Perhaps, it was alarming for Pakistanis despite the fact that Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally and a frontline state in the war on terrorism. The United Nations General Assembly provides an opportunity to rectify the record and highlight Pakistan’s efforts in curbing the menace of terrorism.
Peace and stability in Afghanistan is vital for the neighboring countries of Afghanistan including Pakistan.
The negative spillover from Afghanistan has severely been undermining Pakistan’s security. Therefore, peace and stability in Afghanistan is a high priority for Pakistan. It has been doing its best for the restart of the intra-Afghan dialogue, which is imperative for bringing lasting peace to the country. To conclude, restoring order within the states is essential. Without, internal stability the effective foreign and strategic policy is impossible.
Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal is Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is also an advisor on Non-Proliferation to SASSI, London and a course coordinator at Foreign Services Academy for the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Email: jaspal_99@hotmail.com. This piece was first published in Pakistan Observer. It has been reprinted with permission. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Global Village Space’s editorial policy.