Opinion
 
National interest imperative
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April 06, 2012
Islamabad, today, is under tremendous pressure to chalk out a foreign and strategic policy which ensures and magnifies its national interest instead of further derailing situation at the Afghanistan-Pakistan common border. The peace in Afghanistan and a friendly government in Kabul are prerequisite for the political stability and economic prosperity of the entire Pakistan in general, and Federal Administrative Tribal Areas in particular. This rigid approach “come what may, the NATO routes should not be reopened” certainly minimizes the diplomatic options, and, thereby, such impractical-cum-emotional misleading rhetoric to assuage a particular constituency should be circumvented. Hence, instead of emotional and political point scoring debate in the parliament, legislators ought to chalk out a viable foreign and strategic policy.
The twenty-first century is a century of interdependence. The prosperity of nations is directly linked with their external relations. Therefore, no one affords isolationist and confrontational foreign policy.

Pakistan’s external environment is not tranquil. Despite the end of Cold War in 1990, Pakistan is a victim of regional Cold War with India. In addition, the protracted global war on terrorism has been severely taxing its economy and internal security since United States launched its operation Enduring Freedom on October 7, 2001.

Although Obama Administration has announced withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, it is failing to accomplish desired objective i.e. leaving a peaceful Afghanistan. Neither has it succeeded in training a professional Afghan Army and paramilitary forces nor is it able to engage Taliban successfully. This pessimistic situation, of course, is perilous for Pakistan’s national security.

Islamabad, today, is under tremendous pressure to chalk out a foreign and strategic policy which ensures and magnifies its national interest instead of further derailing situation at the Afghanistan-Pakistan common border. The peace in Afghanistan and a friendly government in Kabul are prerequisite for the political stability and economic prosperity of the entire Pakistan in general, and Federal Administrative Tribal Areas in particular.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security was assigned to rewrite Pakistan’s foreign policy in general and rules of engagement with the United States in particular. Since last week, the Parliament has been debating the recommendations of the Committee. Though the review of foreign policy is wide-ranging, the primary focus of this exercise is the ‘endgame in Afghanistan’ and ‘problems in US-Pakistan ties’.

The formation and execution of foreign and strategic policy is the prerogative of the Cabinet in the parliamentary system of government. However, the important issues are debated in the parliament to constitute an appropriate policy. Prime Minister Gilani asked the parliament to constitute country’s foreign and strategic policy. Hence, Pakistan’s parliament would decide about the parameters of relations with the United States.

Although the opposition parties have been participating in the debate on the foreign policy, they are spending more time on mere criticism instead of highlighting the shortcomings and identifying the practical solutions to fill the gaps in the Committee’s findings.

Ironically, a few political leaders had selected public forums such as rallies, media-talk shows, etc., to express their concerns or reservations on the recommendations of the Committee. It seems that they are not satisfied with the Parliament’s forum or believe that ruling coalition might impose its will on the parliament by the exercise of its majority in both Senate and National Assembly.

The Committee seems determined to create a space for Pakistan’s role in the Afghanistan reconciliation process as the foreign troops withdrawal draws closer. Some of the members have already been convinced to link the resumption of NATO supplies with the Afghan endgame.

According to the media reports, in the meeting of the 12-member parliamentary panel, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) demanded that two points be added to the proposals being reviewed. Firstly, the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, and secondly, a solution to the Kashmir issue. Since independence, solution of Kashmir is a fundamental part of Pakistan’s foreign and strategic policy. Pakistanis have been endeavoring for the solution of Kashmir; therefore, the committee should recommend a practical plan for its solution.

The release of Dr. Aafia is a politicized-cum-legal issue. It requires a serious reconsideration, especially when the case regarding the missing people is in the apex court of Pakistan. Indeed, one cannot oppose the release of Dr. Afia, yet one needs to realize that nations’ national interests are more important than a mere political point scoring or individuals.

Lawmakers from the ruling alliance – the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – recommended that “the NATO supplies’ resumption should be linked to suspension of drone strikes in Pakistan.” The PML-N appeared to be in concurrence with this demand of the ruling coalition. If both ruling coalition and opposition are on the same page, this demand could be part of the final draft.

The chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazlur Rehman had categorically stated that “come what may, the NATO routes should not be reopened.” This rigid approach certainly minimizes the diplomatic options, and, thereby, such impractical-cum-emotional misleading rhetoric to assuage a particular constituency should be circumvented. Hence, instead of emotional and political point scoring debate in the parliament, legislators ought to chalk out a viable foreign and strategic policy.


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