One Area where the Govt. has done exceptionally well is foreign policy. Although, IK visit to Russia at a time when Ukraine War began, was it too blunt? Did the Establishment decide to balance out things by openly favouring the west? This way the regional block and the western powers both can be satisfied somehow maybe.
Not in my view.
PTI-led GOP was lacking in homework for Biden administration in my view.
I could notice two problems:
1. Refusing invitation of Biden administration to Global Democracy Summit.
So what if Joe Biden had not called Imran Khan in person? Global Democracy Summit was an opportunity to be tapped and Khan could make fun of Biden in this summit by stating that he is afraid to call him in person (a message that would have been potent and funny at the same time).
Leader(s) should be wise and humble and tap all opportunities of Foreign engagements when they present themselves. Foreign Policy engagements should be made in the larger interest of the public - always.
2. Lack of political will to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine.
When Imran Khan was in Russia with his team, Vladimir Putin gave the nod to attack Ukraine - clever of him but bad optics for Pakistan*. Some argue that
visit to Russia was ill-timed. But for the sake of argument, let us assume that this visit was deemed important and WE had to avail it. This brings us to following consideration:
Americans were expecting Pakistan to condemn Russian assault on Ukraine at minimum but PTI-led GOP refused to do this much in United Nations (UN) and otherwise.
This might be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Condemning Russia for an act of aggression does
NOT suggest the end of Pak-Russian bilateral engagement. It does
NOT have to be in very strong terms but like this:
"WE do not endorse and support violation of the sovereignty of a UN-recognized state and Pakistan see in Ukraine a friendly state. WE hope that Russia will find a political solution for its problems with Ukraine. WE value our relationship with Russia as well but WE will provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in its hour of need." Say this much and then watch the mood in Western hemisphere.
Why bring India into this shit? Now see for yourself:
New Delhi’s reaction to Moscow’s invasion is complicating its relationship with Washington, which regards it as a partner in countering China’s influence in Asia.
www.scmp.com
Ukraine is one of the suppliers of equipment to Pakistan [1], and even respected Pakistan's stance for Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). Now that Ukraine is in trouble, WE are like nevermind?
Utterly disrespectful. Who will care about what happens to Pakistan and J&K anymore?
Will Russia stop supplying RD-93 engines for use in JF-17 Thunder jet fighters over a mere statement? It cannot be a reliable partner then. For perspective, Russia
never stopped trading with European countries and even USA [on its own] in spite of having disagreements with them.
Pakistan can contribute to Russian economy as well - this does not counts in Russian calculus?
Pakistan should strive for BALANCED Foreign Policy.
BALANCED = Pakistan can oblige USA in some cases, Russia in some cases, and China in some cases. This is how it works.
USA is superpower and there can be external developments of much significance to it for which it can choose to convey its position to other countries around the world - draw a line for other countries in relation. This much is expected in a while.
USA does
NOT request Pakistan to condemn every Russian move - Ukraine was the line that was drawn for Pakistan and other countries in a while. This wasn't a big deal for Pakistan in view of [1].
Treating USA like a NOBODY in Foreign Affairs? Best of luck then.
- - - -
*This is the optics generated:
On the cricket field, Pakistan’s Imran Khan was a galvanizing captain and leader—a talisman who knitted together a gaggle of mercurial talents and journeymen into a cohesive whole, which overcame extraordinary odds to famously beat England to lift the Cricket World Cup in 1992. There were...
news.yahoo.com
Most unfortunate.
My humble suggestion to Khan is that he should learn from his mistakes. He is in need of a better set-of-advisors in my view.
My 2 cents.
