Foreign policy takes centrestage, finally
Sartaj Aziz has spoken at last, covering most of the foreign policy landscape while glossing over the ongoing first strategic dialogue between Pakistan and Russia in Moscow and relations with Iran, and in the national security context, lightly skipping over the reported overtures to the Taliban and the ‘what’s in a name’ ramifications of the old Defence committee of the cabinet into the Cabinet Committee on National Security by the PML-N. The prime minister’s advisor on foreign affairs and national security just about made it to the floor of the national assembly on Friday, the last day of the session, following the lawmakers’ combined walkout.
The policy statement revolved mostly around Pakistan’s major diplomatic headaches, including the humiliating drone attacks, relations (if such they can be termed) with India and Afghanistan and with restarting the strategic dialogue with the USA. Syria also merited a well-deserved mention with a strong rejection of the use of force and external actors for what is clearly regime change in a ‘chemical’ equation. On Afghanistan, he termed Hamid Karzai’s recent visit as changing ‘chill into warmth’ and perhaps it was Freudian slip on his part on the Afghan president’s usual habit of ‘blowing hot, blowing cold’ on Pakistan. Though the adviser insisted there were no favourites in Afghanistan, the strategic depth idea should still be alive and well. Indeed the national policy over Karzai is as confused as it is over every issue of national importance: can he survive the post US withdrawal in 2014 or adopt the ‘take the money and run’ maxim, a wise one under the circumstances? On Kashmir, the PML-N seems to be turning back to the UN resolutions scenario, as back-track diplomacy with India having failed to deliver the Kashmiris out of their concentration camp misery and enslavement. But, when all is said and done, good relations on an equal footing and increased trade is a sine quo non for sub-continental peace and prosperity. Hence, the hawks in India also need to have their wings clipped, as the recent tragic events on the LoC starkly illustrate. The ‘contradictions and lack of consistency in the Indian attitude’ pointed out by Sartaj Aziz are a direct result of the manipulations of this species. Hopefully an expected meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in September might help to clear the air.
With mutual recriminations and lack of trust, the relations with the US have at best been bumpy these last few years. The litmus test in this regard undoubtedly will be the halting of the drone attacks on our western marches, which have only spread terror and distrust (and casualties) among the civilian population. While the adviser maintained a deafening silence on China, it is obvious that this emerging super power will be Pakistan’s closest mentor and strategic partner due to an alignment of national interests. Pakistan should also make hectic efforts to improve its relations with Iran. This would be a better option in the long run to the ultra-reactionary and ultra-conservative elements that have been, and still remain, our dubious patrons on the world stage.
