How can Pakistan have a robust and free foreign policy?

[Tomcats]

If you want the Foreign Policy to actually perform to it's full potential you would have to empower the very institution that specializes in it, the Foreign Ministry. Politics and 'other' players have affected the decision making for the worse and there is a lack of trust with the institution. A strong economy can only do so much to help Foreign Policy when the very thing created for it is dysfunctional.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

@Ahmet Pasha

Ahmet sahib,

First thing is Pak has to develop a vigorous thriving economy of its own. Once it is in place, rest will follow.

Regards

The answer right in front of everybody. But ...

• Work hard
• Pay taxes

 

[jamal18]

The only way Pakistan can have an independent foreign policy is by having a strong economy. Difficult to stand up against countries when you are dependent on them filling your begging bowl.

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Let me just say that we have taken much more abbu G positions detrimental to our interests than India ever has. Perhaps pre 2000 this is merely down to their circumstance (like they don't border Afghanistan for example). But post 2000 the reason is clear: economy.

And the lazy but correct answer for us is also economy. All rights can be wrongs, all wrongs can be write, as long as you're rich (while maintaining a reasonably robust military). We clearly have things we want to do with our military that are mostly limited by our economy. So "it's the economy, stupid!"

Alright I see that you have done a good job of pointing that out. But what do you propose to fix this?

Now I realize this is where things get a bit convulated. Since it won't just be the economy you're probably gonna respond to because we haven't done any reformation/law making or any significant work in past 40 something years.

But I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how to right this wrong.

If you want the Foreign Policy to actually perform to it's full potential you would have to empower the very institution that specializes in it, the Foreign Ministry. Politics and 'other' players have affected the decision making for the worse and there is a lack of trust with the institution. A strong economy can only do so much to help Foreign Policy when the very thing created for it is dysfunctional.

I think that is a very interesting point you have brought up. One pertinent example I think would be NS not appointing a proper foreign minister.

Instead appointing a senile old man as an advisor. Who's well past his prime.

Traditionally if you look at foreign ministers they have been people of charisma and a charming personality. Levrov, Jawad Zarif, Çavuşoğlu, Chinese guy, Peer sahb(SMQ lol) all seem to support this.

The only way Pakistan can have an independent foreign policy is by having a strong economy. Difficult to stand up against countries when you are dependent on them filling your begging bowl.

Alright then how do we get there??

 

[Chhatrapati]

How you see China political system and domestic policy?

If a political system and domestic policy can change China's fate so dramatically, the Chinese must had done something right.

In past 15 years India/Vietnam are learning from China very hard. Such as India PM Singh adopted China reform and opening up policy, while BJP adopted even more Chinese experience. Vietnam call themselves small China for 1000 years, Vietnam government just translate China government domestic policy and documents and use it for past 30 years.

It seems to me that Pakistanis have less interest, since most educated in western system.

There is nothing miraculous about opening up of Chinese economy, or India for that matter. You simply switched from a shitty communist system to free-market capitalism (although partially) from a controlled market socialistic BS (which India also followed partially due to Soviet lovers). The result was Foreign investment and technologies in your country.

As for foreign policy, the Chinese foreign policy right now is detrimental to it in the short term and long term. What other countries can learn from you is how not to be arrogant while being the new money.
At least Deng had the foresight to see that.

Now recently leveraging it's Israeli connection, India has made successful forays into the MENA region.

Is it though? Before even the Israeli Arab normalization, India had very cordial relations with the ME countries despite having an equally cordial (and strategic) relationship with Israel. That's primarily because for one, we are not an Islamic republic, secondly, we don't have a stake in the Israel-Palestine conflict. There are no examples in that regard in terms of independent Foreign policy for Pakistan because, at the end of the day, you have to worry about your domestic politics (ditto TLP) as well as Arabs (Yemen conflict).

The MENA region also has something we want, Oil. Means billions of dollars in business. This essentially means, your foreign policy influence is tied to your economy and vice versa. How you move forward economically will decide your independence in FP.

 

[JamD]

Alright I see that you have done a good job of pointing that out. But what do you propose to fix this?

Now I realize this is where things get a bit convulated. Since it won't just be the economy you're probably gonna respond to because we haven't done any reformation/law making or any significant work in past 40 something years.

But I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how to right this wrong.

I think what I want is nicely summarized here

Probably Pakistan's Biggest Need: Charter of Economy

Let me preface this post by stating that I am NOT an economist and I have absolutely no formal training in it (I am an engineer). That being said, I've always had an interest in macroeconomics and have read up a lot on my own time. Of course this in no way makes up fro my lack of training; only...

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