Foreign Policy of Pakistan

A Study in Light of the 2018 Manifestos of Pakistani Political Parties1

F oreign policy is one of the most significant

pillars of a state’s national life. It manages inter-
states relations and external affairs in pursuit of
a country’s national interests. It is the first line of
defence of a country. The functioning of foreign
Movement (MQM), 6 and Awami National Party
(ANP). 7 Salient points of manifestos of the above
parties regarding various issues and their approaches
are summarised below.

policy at level playing field is possible when a state
possesses strong national, economic and security
policies. At the same time, the foreign policy helps
improving security environment and economic
progress of the country. That is why foreign policy
features prominently in election manifestos of
political parties of Pakistan reflecting their promises
to deal with sovereign states to achieve Pakistan’s
national interests.
Election manifestos are traditionally issued by various
political parties. They may possibly help in making a
voter’s opinion to vote for certain political party but
real significance of these documents lies in post-
election scenario when the promises and ideals have
to be put in practice.
This brief review analyses foreign policy approaches
as presented in election manifestos of prominent
political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf
(PTI), 2 Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 3 Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N),4 Muttahida Majlis-
5
i-Amal (MMA), Muttahida Qaumi
Vision on the Foreign Policy, Structural Reforms
and Approaches
There is a consensus to pursue core national interests:
territorial integrity & sovereignty, socio-economic
development, pursuing interests of Pakistanis, resolute
defence and the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Undertaking structural and integrated reforms of
MOFA and Missions abroad for effective delivery of
services also form an important part of the agenda.
There is consensus on pursuing economic growth and
economic diplomacy. Importantly there is a stress to
pursue an independent foreign policy. Whereas
emphasis has also been laid on ratification of
international treaties by the Parliament. The following
highlights from various manifestos highlight these
points:
PTI has identified four core national interests:
territorial integrity & sovereignty, socio-economic
development, the resolution of the Kashmir dispute,
and protection of Pakistanis in Pakistan and abroad.
On the same subject of core interests PPP has listed:

1
This brief is part of a larger study being conducted at IPS to understand the national mood in light of the approach of various
Political Parties, participating in the elections 2018, on subjects of important issues related to the National Agenda.
2
PTI has devoted Chapter 7 of Manifesto to foreign policy (p. 55-57)
3
PPP has devoted one chapter (p.55-62) to foreign policy
4
PML-N has devoted one and a half page (p.62-63) to the foreign policy
5
MMA has discussed foreign policy issues on two pages (p.2 &6)
6
MQM has discussed foreign policy issues on two pages (p.17&22)
7
ANP has devoted two pages (26-27) to foreign policy

[1]
“Securing our state and defending its sovereignty,
pursuing the values and interests of the people through
diplomacy, and ensuring resolute defence and
dedicated foreign policy”. PPP envisioned Pakistan as
a progressive, vibrant and enterprising country
through its sovereignty, stability, security economic
growth, peaceful coexistence and the role of geo-
economics. PML-N considers “foreign policy to
further Pakistan’s ‘political, cultural, diplomatic and
economic interests in the international community”.
PML-N also pledged to ‘accord the highest priority to
combatting militancy and terrorism.’ MQM pledges to
pursue ‘an independent foreign policy.’ MMA too
vowed the formulation of an independent foreign
policy seeking a respectful place for Pakistan in the
comity of nations, and stresses on safeguarding
Pakistan’s ideological and geographical boundaries,
independence, sovereignty, and fortifying Pakistan’s
defence for combatting all sorts of external
interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. ANP
highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s geo-strategic
location and focused on its relations with
neighbouring countries, tactics of ‘powerful countries
to exploit’ Pakistan’s neighbourhood, and threats to
Pakistan’s independence. ANP maintained that it
would adjust foreign policy to address threats, ‘to
further the national interest in terms of economic and
commercial progress,’ and ‘work for an independent
foreign policy.’
On the structural issues, PTI pledged to carry out four
reforms: A proactive and specialised Foreign Service
& MOFA, establishment of an International Law
Division in MOFA, linkage of External Publicity
Wing with MOFA & Missions abroad, and
establishment of a Policy Coordination Cell at the
Prime Minister’s Office to coordinate inputs from key
national stakeholders. PTI held that it would follow
reciprocity, mutual interests and international norms
to govern Pakistan’s relations at the bilateral and
multilateral levels. PPP wished inject dynamism into
foreign policy by crafting a new strategic framework,
public diplomacy, integrated reforms of MOFA &
Missions. PTI and MMA also vowed to give
Parliament the authority to ratify all international
treaties.
Pakistan’s Relations with Neighbouring Countries
The parties are unanimous on improving relations
with neighbouring countries based on equality, non-
interference in each other’s internal affairs, and the
resolution of conflicts through meaningful dialogue,
people to people contacts, and more robust economic
engagement. A specific remark given in PTI manifesto
is worth mentioning here. It says Pakistan has not
[2]
exploited fully its geo-strategic location and external
regional powers have exploited Pakistan’s geo-
strategic location for their advantage.
Here are indications that have been drawn from
various manifestos about their position regarding
relations with neighbours:
MMA did not name specific countries but pledged to
develop friendly relations with all countries
particularly neighbouring countries on the basis of
equality, justice, peaceful coexistence and non-
interference. There is no specific reference to
Pakistan’s relations with China, Iran and Afghanistan
in MQM’s manifesto but it also vows ‘to promote
close, friendly and honourable relations with the
neighbouring countries.’
PTI said that it would initiate new policies for conflict
resolution and improving Pakistan’s relations with
India & Afghanistan and expanding the existing
strategic partnership with China. PPP too remarked
that it would deepen Pakistan’s ‘economic and
political engagement with China,’ enhance strategic
partnership and ‘cooperation in the fields of defence,
diplomacy, trade and technology.’ PML-N pledged to
fortify ties with China by ensuring the success of
CPEC projects. ANP stressed that the traditional close
relations with China will be maintained and further
developed.
With reference to Afghanistan, PML-N visibly
supports an ‘Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace
process’ in Afghanistan to achieve peace, security and
stability in Pakistan. PPP too pledged to develop
relations on the basis of non-interference supporting
only ‘Afghan-led peace process’ to ‘stabilisation,
reconciliation, and peace without favouring any
group.’ PPP, while discussing about terrorist
sanctuaries in eastern Afghanistan, stressed the need
to develop ‘greater political, military and intelligence
cooperation with Kabul’ to stem militant spill over,
the regional emergence of Daesh, and drug and arms
trafficking.’ The manifesto maintained that Pakistan
needed to develop people to people contacts with
Afghanistan in addition to engaging with Afghanistan
by building Pak-Afghan Reconstruction Opportunity
Zones and Special Economic Zones in violence
affected regions.’ ANP while maintaining to develop
‘friendly and peaceful relations with neighbours’
mentioned ‘special attention to be paid to relations
with Afghanistan’…‘on the basis of sovereign
equality and non-interference in each other’s internal
affairs.’
With India, PPP believes in normalising relations
through meaningful and sustained dialogue in an
atmosphere of mutual respect. PPP declared that it
would focus on better relations with India on the basis
of people to people contacts, easing of visa
restrictions, energy and trade connectivity, and
economic cooperation. PML- N stressed on stabilising
‘relations with India through a sustained dialogue with
the aim to resolving all differences.’ MQM too
‘believes in the policy of peaceful coexistence,
encourages confidence building measures (CBMs)
and dialogue process with India to provide peace,
progress and prosperity’ in the region. Without going
into much detail, ANP also pledged ‘to establish
‘peaceful, cooperative good neighbourly relations
with India’.8
Relations with Russia, Eurasia & Central Asian
Republics
Most political parties have consensus to expand
cooperation with Russia, bring CPEC projects in line
with Russia’s vision for a Eurasian Economic Union,
forge closer relations with the Central Asian
Republics, focus on connectivity projects, oil and gas
pipelines, transmission lines, and power projects.
PTI maintained that it would expand the emerging
cooperation with Russia to take ‘advantage of a
renewed Russian outreach to Pakistan.’ PPP vowed to
encourage Moscow and Beijing to identify new nodes
that could help ‘bring CPEC activities in line with
Russia’s vision for a Eurasian Economic Union.’
Being a member of the SCO, Pakistan can leverage its
pivotal location for forging closer economic and
commercial ties and outreach energy market, it says.
PML-N also pledges ‘to develop relations with Russia
on the successes achieved during 2013-18’ and
drawing the Central Asian region ‘closer by launching
more connectivity projects ranging from oil and gas
pipelines, transmission lines, and power projects.’
ANP pledges to pursue peaceful and cooperative
relations with Russia and Central Asian Republics
based on ‘sovereign equality and non-interference in
each other’s internal affairs.’
Pakistan-US Relations
Most of the political parties emphasised to develop
Pakistan-US relations on the basis of equality,
mutuality of interests, reciprocity, respect, clearly
defined partnerships, economic engagement and
reviving working dialogue. MMA’s stance also
8
A distinct assessment of manifestos with respect to relations with India and the Kashmir issue gives a rather detailed account
of manifestos on this subject separately.
[3]
includes countering terrorism and espionage
emanating from the US.
Reframing Pakistan’s relationship with the US on the
basis of reciprocity, mutuality of interests, respect, on
‘a more enduring, balanced and clearly defined
partnership, rooted in a shared understanding of
national sovereignty’ is the clear message given in PTI
manifesto. PPP also envisages reviving strategic
dialogue. It emphasizes in investing ‘in trade, not aid’,
and jump-starting ‘proactive engagement with
democratic actors in the Congress, American media,
civil society, business and entrepreneurial segments.’
PML-N promises to ‘build relations with the US on
the basis of equality and mutuality of interests,
specially, in promoting regional peace and security,
economy, science, technology and innovation, and
exchanges in the field of education.’ ANP says it ‘will
strive for normalcy in the relations with the US based
on mutual interests and respect as independent and
sovereign states. MMA brings the other dimension of
the discourse in light when it pledges to dismantle all
external networks of terrorism and espionage
emanating from the US, Israel and India.
Pakistan’s Relations with the Middle East
There is a broad consensus among political parties to
strengthen relations with the Muslim World and that
Pakistan must play its non-partisan role in intra-Gulf
conflicts for building stability in the Middle East. The
direction of this engagement is rooted in strengthening
Islamic solidarity, peace and the common economic
development and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah
and to counter terrorism.
‘Pakistan must play the role of a bridge builder and
honest broker amongst the states of the Gulf by
adopting a non-partisan role in intra-Gulf conflicts’,
vowsPTI in its manifesto. PPP stresses to interact with
the Middle East for building stability in the region and
deepening and strengthening Pakistan’s relations with
the Muslim world. PPP also pledges to strengthen
‘Islamic solidarity, peace and the common economic
development, and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah’
to counter ‘Pan-Islamic terrorists including Daesh, Al-
Qaeda and their global affiliates,’ balance relations
with Saudi Arabia and Iran, and continue diplomatic,
economic and security cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
PPP emphasizes that it will remain engaged with Iran
in its ‘emergence as a key regional player’ and its
‘growing stakes in multilateral initiatives.’ PML-N
commits to ‘strengthen relations with the Muslim
Ummah, particularly the GCC countries like Saudi
Arabia, UAE, Qatar, as well as Iran, Turkey and the
Central Asian Republics.’ MMA pledges to strengthen
relations with the Muslim Ummah and to establish an
effective and strong Muslim bloc in addition to
unwavering support to unanimous stance of the
Muslim Ummah for the liberation and protection of
Qibla e Awal. MMA also pledges that it will mobilise
Pakistanis to thwart nefarious efforts of the US and
Israel to change status of the Qibla e Awal. ANP states
that ‘Pakistan shall play a leading and constructive
role in the OIC’ and ‘special attention will be paid by
our missions ‘particularly in the Gulf countries and
Saudi Arabia ‘where there are many Pakhtun
workers.’
Pakistan’s Relations with Europe
While not all the parties have addressed Europe as one
of the specific focuses, there is consensus to
strengthen relations with Europe particularly with the
European Union by forging a robust economic
partnership, and cooperation in the fields of
innovations, science & technology, trade and
commerce in the manifestos of three most prominent
parties.
Talking in general terms PTI pledges to sustain and
increase Pakistan’s relations with the European
Union. PPP also pledges to forge ‘a robust economic
partnership with the European Union’ to ‘develop
‘mutually beneficial collaborative links’ in
‘economic, technological and cultural affairs.’ PML-
N too vows to ‘strengthen relations with the United
Kingdom as well as countries of the European Union,
particularly in trade, commerce, and education.’
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
CPEC has been widely covered in Manifestos of
political parties as part of foreign policy or as a
separate subject. The gist is that political parties have
acknowledged the importance of CPEC as game-
changer for Pakistan, its strategic partnership with
China, and overarching role of CPEC as flagship
project of BRI. Parties have welcomed CPEC project
and emphasised to engage Pakistani people, experts
and businessmen in agriculture, domestic
manufacturing, joint ventures, value-addition to
domestic commodities, and job opportunities for
Pakistanis in CPEC projects. They have also
underlined the need of transparency, clarity and
unanimity of opinions and consensus in the
implementation of CPEC projects. Keeping in view
overwhelming strategic importance of CPEC, IPS has
9
See, Pakistan China Relations and CPEC
[4]
carried out a separate & detailed study on consensus
and analysis of CPEC project in light of the
manifestos.9
Pakistan’s Relations with East Asia, Latin America
& Africa
While not covered in detail PTI, PPP, & PML-N
manifestos show that they have unanimity of views to
forge closer ties with East Asia Africa and Latin
America.
Recognizing the importance of East Asia, Latin
America and Africa the manifesto of PTI pledges ‘to
look more attentively towards East Asia’ and core
states in Latin America and Africa. PPP commits to
forge closer ties, and ‘carve out new openings for
Pakistan’s partnerships’ with the Muslim countries in
the regions of the Middle East and North Africa. PML-
N vows to ‘fully support the countries of the third
world particularly countries of Africa and Latin
America’.
The Kashmir Dispute
There is an absolute consensus among political parties
to resolve the Kashmir dispute through sustained
dialogue with India in accordance with the UNSC
resolutions and as per wishes of the people of
Kashmir.
PTI says it will prepare a blueprint for resolving the
Kashmir Dispute within the parameters of UNSC
resolutions. PPP resolves to seek help of the OIC in
addressing crises in Kashmir and Palestine and ‘the
support for self-determination of the Kashmiri people,
together with Pakistan’s support for the issue of
Palestine.’ PML-N envisages resolving the Kashmir
Dispute ‘based on Pakistan’s principled policy of
providing moral, political and diplomatic support to
the people of IOK in their just and heroic struggle for
self-determination, in accordance with the UN
resolutions.’
MMA, emphasizing in some detail, maintains that
Pakistan has observed a principled and unanimous
stance on the Kashmir Dispute, which is the root cause
of all other outstanding issues with India and without
its resolution there is no chance of reconciliation with
India. Therefore, it is imperative to prevail upon India
in negotiations to acknowledge the disputed status of
Jammu & Kashmir and accept the right to self-
determination for the Kashmiris and their liberation
from India in accordance with the UN resolutions.
MMA also pledges that it will continue its full support
for freedom struggle of Muslims of Kashmir,
Palestine and other Muslim minorities in the world.
MQM wants to solve the Kashmir dispute through
meaningful, sincere and honourable dialogue
according to the wishes of Kashmiri people. ANP
pledges ‘to solve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and
other outstanding issues through peaceful negotiations
and dialogue.’
Overseas Pakistanis
Most of the parties have pledged to give voting right
and reserve seats in the Parliament, to Overseas
Pakistanis, extend consular and legal services to
Pakistanis in jails abroad through embassies, create
better investment opportunities in Pakistan for them
by providing special economic packages and persuade
them to invest in Pakistan.
PTI vows ‘to ensure voting rights for Overseas
Pakistanis; MMA also says it will endeavour for the
right of vote for overseas Pakistanis. PML-N not only
pledges giving them voting rights, also claims to
reserve seats in both houses of Parliament for
Overseas Pakistanis; MQM while also vowing for
Pakistanis constitutional right to vote, pledges to
repeal ban through constitutional amendment on
Pakistanis with dual nationality to contest elections in
Pakistan’.
While PTI talks about creating attractive investment
opportunities for them, PML- N says it will offer
special currency bonds with returns higher than
foreign commercial banks, form Pakistan Talent Bank
to curb brain drain. MMA vows to increase exports
and foreign investment through cooperation of the
overseas Pakistanis by controlling corruption, through
self-reliance and no foreign loans. MMA’s manifesto
also emphasizes about protection of their properties in
Pakistan, security and welfare schemes for them, job
and business opportunities on return and respect to be
accorded to overseas Pakistanis on return to Pakistan.
Prepared by:
Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf
Senior Research Associate
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.
For queries:
Syed Nadeem Farhat, Senior Research Coordinator,
nadeem@ips.net.pk | www.ips.org.pk
[5]
PTI says it will strengthen Pakistan’s embassies to
provide emergency relief, create a virtual investment
desk in key embassies, and provide consular and legal
services to Pakistanis jailed abroad. Whereas PML-N
vows to provide free legal assistance to Overseas
Pakistanis in foreign jails and expedite prisoner
agreements.
While talking about reversing the brain drain, MQM
says it will do it by encouraging overseas Pakistanis to
return to Pakistan and provide them economic
opportunities and posts. MMA talks about education
for the overseas Pakistanis children in Pakistan, PML-
N also addresses the education issue by saying that it
will provide educational opportunities through
addition of Overseas Pakistanis Schools and
admission in higher education institutions and
strengthen community welfare.
Conclusion
It is quite heartening that manifestos of political
parties contain broad consensus, similarity of views,
and little divergence of opinions, on issues and facets
related to the foreign policy. The concepts of
structural reforms in MOFA and Missions,
independent foreign policy, authority to be given to
the Parliament to ratify all international treaties, broad
consensus on CPEC, earnest desire to improve ties
with the neighbouring countries, and importance of
Pakistan’s relations with the US, Europe, Russia, the
Central Asian Republics, the Middle East, and Africa
and Latin America give a promising hope not only to
interact with sovereign states but also to resolve issues
on the domestic front. On the basis of this emerging
hope, we can expect that the government, to be formed
after 2018 elections, will have chances of cooperating
with the Parliament, civil bureaucracy and the
institutions to craft a well-coordinated independent
foreign policy and its implementation. We can also
expect that such foreign policy will help meet
opportunities emanating from the world and address
challenges in a democratic and consensual way.