Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Thailand - Redefining eastern geo-economic policy and reviewing western geo-strategic interests

Will the Pakistani government take up the mantle to change the country's subservient and subjugated role to a more defining and enhanced one?

Russia has responded to the western encirclement through diversification of her foreign policy. In the emerging scenario of an uncertain multi-polar world, the contemporary situation depicts a post-modern society. With the emergence of East, new paths and creative ideas are being adopted to deal with the unprecedented situations and challenging tasks that nation-states have to overcome in the rapidly changing socio-economic and political environment of the world. As Washington and Moscow have proactively restored an intermittent peace in Middle East through Syrian ceasefire plan, we have seen both sides endeavouring to pursue a diplomatic struggle to remain relevant in terms of their narratives. Climate change and environmental issues are debated in the UN, which requires mutual collaboration. Despite such measures or initiatives, the global crisis is deepening. This requires an intense, paradigm shift in the policy-making and interest-pursuits. How long can Russia-Britain sustain an economic loss of $10 billion trade volume due to sanction in first place due to insane militaristic adventures?

Obama was in South East Asia to visit Vietnam and Japan, last week. America has shared a difficult and dark part of history with both Asian countries. A Democrat President, Obama intends to count his tenure relevant as a Democrat President. The Iran Nuclear Deal, Syrian ceasefire plan and OBL fiasco were main events during his presidency that dealt with American policy towards West Asia. His recent, ‘timely’ visit to Far East Asia and South East Asia after his historic visit to Cuba give his administration and party an edge against the Republicans. Donald Trump, selected as the Republican candidate, throughout his campaign has spoken an innumerable times and at multiple occasions, about the relevance and importance of China. Who will come up against Trump; i.e. Clinton or Sanders, is yet to be determined. As November 2016 approaches (the month a new US President will be elected), global events have significantly altered and intensified through America’s visible and invisible guiding hand in the recent months. Amidst the rising tensions, China has sent a nuclear armed submarine into Pacific to deliver a message. What provoked China to take such stand? It is an unprecedented step with potential to steer towards higher proportion of cataclysms.

Nuclear Deal 2015, ahead of US Presidential elections, has provided Iran an opportunity to flex her muscles and start a campaign vying for making up for the losses endured for the last three decades. At one side, the western intervention programs have culminated into a Syrian ceasefire plan. This has enabled Iran to direct her attention towards East Asia. It has to be kept in mind that Iran is surrounded by seven nuclear-armed states: Israel, China, India, Pakistan, Britain, Russia and France. To secure a stable regional policy, Iran has shifted her new policy aiming towards coordination and cooperation with the East Asian countries. The Chahbahar Port project includes the beneficiaries, Afghanistan and India. Pakistan’s (almost non-existent) foreign policy, run by the military agencies in the backyard of Asia, has proved to be futile in terms of projecting a positive out-reach. The killing of Mullah Mansur Akhtar, an Afghan National, has proved to be a dark spot for Pakistan. Pakistan’s state agencies are responsible for the mess in a sense that they have alienated their own stance by claiming that most non-state actors dwindle between the porous and open borders of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan while doing nothing about it themselves. Pakistan has to come up with an adequately thought-out policy program with little reliance on being termed as the ‘warrior state' where we turn a blind eye to the onus of such high magnitudinal events or situations.

 Iran’s foreign policy has diversified from dealing with Middle Eastern chaos to East Asia’s opportunities. Pakistan has remained aloof to the developing situation around the world and is stuck in old rhetoric. Probably, it is due to the internal strife and differences that have stagnated any chances for informed decision-making and a viable consensus to develop.  Khulbhushan Jadhev’s arrest during Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan might be the highest level of diplomatic initiative taken publicly in recent time. India-centrism has corroded the minds and hearts of a young nation and derailed the path to positive reforms. Diversification of foreign policy is a major step towards consolidating measures that ensure a Nation-States interest. While Obama was on a visit to Japan and Vietnam, last week- Putin was meeting the leaders of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) in Sochi, Russia. This is regarded as a Russian attempt to remove the stalemate that had diminished cooperation between countries located in the Eurasian region. The China factor was slowing the process but Russia-ASEAN summit attempted to address the grass-root level problem in terms of economic relations and disapprove active militaristic designs in the Pacific. To strengthen Asian resolve and minimize differences, Eurasian Russia stood up to tackle American presence and interference in Pacific Ocean.

Recent developments on the global turf, i.e. the importance of Syrian ceasefire plan at a time when America’s growing level of intervention in East Asia and elsewhere, have made nations of the East realize the importance of maintaining cordial relations with their territorial and regional neighbours. After the Panama Papers issue – the ouster of Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff, proved that America will continue to divert situations to their own advantage by propping up incompetent rulers and financing actors that serve as elements of lies, confusion, chaos, deception and destruction to an extent where the recent development of US-Cuba relations restored did not matter to Obama Administration. The West is now attempting to provide India the status of a NATO ally in the East through National Defense Authourisation Act passed in American Congress. This will lead India to becomE a ‘police-state’. Being a neighbour, it is up to Pakistan to prove to India that militarization tactics in South Asia have always resulted in ‘Divide and Rule’- with the Civil Government on both sides reaching a terms of understanding.  Western attempts to sabotage Afghan peace process in the past have resulted in the Haqqani Network and other terror groups to distance themselves from any Quadrilateral efforts to materialize. The problem is not with drone attacks being source of violation of country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the case of Angoor Adda base that adds up to existing miserable situation depicting the weakness of Pakistani Institutions – where both countries had rolled tanks against each other at Torkham border, two weeks ago. It depicts  a repetition of the historical situation of Kargil and Siachen.The military command should have referred it to the civil government before taking the step. Potentially, more value could’ve been added through combined deliberations. The civilian government would’ve attempted to diminish any hawkish approach – from both sides. A possible step to a probable solution would’ve been joint Afghan-Pakistan, Iran-Pakistan or trio alliance to deal with the criminal elements in the region. If for Pakistani routes in CPEC, then why not for regional stability? Pakistan’s lead should come in embracing the change and proposing; not exposing. Why did Ashraf Ghani have to change his neutral stance to an anti-Pakistani one?

The shift of Iranian priorities from militarism to economic alliances can prove to be a game-changer in the region. For Pakistan, the ‘invisible’ authority has to realize that ‘geo-strategic’ plan doesn’t have to be at the top of the game but rather be central and integral to working of relationships. Pakistan should attempt to remain relevant to ‘geo-economic’ interests in order to create a balance with ‘geo-strategic’ interests. The Turkish case is a classic example to learn the pros and cons – with a contrast to Russian approach reinforced through Russian School of Constitutional Economics. Consider Pakistan’s situation for now. To observe the ‘old’ established priorities, CII has issued a renewed version of ‘Women protection bill,’ that in fact is limited to certain cases and is more repressive than inhumane laws or the prevailing conservative culture in Saudia or Iran. This response of CII came after government’s initiatives that can be as proposals which deemed to expose a negative and disastrous type of mindset, through steps taken in a manner that challenged their credibility and relevance to law of Pakistan. Is NAP limited in matters of deliverance? A weak democracy needs stability and time to deliver. The socio-economic and political situation needs uplift. Pakistani leaders have to stride towards achieving a Progressive Pakistan through statesman approach that leads to strengthening the system and upholding the rule of law. To remain stuck in militaristic avenues would result in tremendous embarrassment.

Cultivate a ‘moral law is the highest law’ approach: which develops a pattern through concerted and concentrated efforts. Patriotism and pride are individualistic and subjective choices. The build-up of a strong case for foreign policy needs Pakistanis to identify the cause and effect of the situation where a nation-state that was soaring towards new heights till 1960s – fell way behind. There seems to be a striking similarity in the way our foreign policy is run and internal policy is formulated – relatively, in terms of society existing in the Republic of North Korea. America has succeeded in capturing a cage we built for the Af-Pak region; where, after the normalizing of US relations with Iran and Cuba, the ensuing nuclear summits will endeavour to find the track-record of North Korean activity that qualifies as criminal intent.

The purpose of drawing inference to North Korea is due to the existence of such mindset. Instead of developing relations with neighbours or like-minded states, the North Korean leadership is moving down on a path that will lead nowhere, eventually. Russia and China have set a positive example in the course of western onslaught. They have widened the scope of cooperation, collaboration and coordination in Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, Far East Asia and Central Asia. The process of sustainability of Syrian ceasefire plan, establishing mechanism for stability in Iraq and ensuring Afghan freedom and enduring peace process will enhance status to a united, prosperous and powerful Asia. Peak oil crisis that caused Saudi rejections and opposition in setting the international oil prices led to ineffective solutions during negotiations and the anti-Saudi bill passed in American Congress has exposed American priorities/plans for the Middle East. Russian initiatives backed by Chinese steps to enhance integration inter-alia Asian countries will deter aggression of Pro-Israeli NATO and their counterparts. Pakistani state and government are in a position to take a lead in restoring credentials of the State of Pakistan, through setting an example of a society that has tolerance and strength in order to deliver in times of crisis. This is reflected in aftermath of Panama Papers, where PM Nawaz Sharif firmly dealt with the instigators and agitators by declaring that he has always preferred values above power. This is where democracy needs to deliver in an Islamic Republic.

There have been latest attempts to encircle Russia and China, respectively i.e. such that NATO activities led by US in Eastern Europe (Missile defense systems installation and lining of troops along with Air force/Navy contingents) and the intensification of Indian militarization i.e. induction and developments of nuclear missile, nuclear submarine and supersonic interceptor in recent months have caused tensions soaring in military flash-points. Russian role in administering and ensuring Syrian ceasefire plan, ahead of US elections, has led to clarification of the situation that requires a Eurasian alliance. Pakistan should offer Iran ease and access in the Afghanistan-Iran-India Chahbahar deal. Pakistan can extend the CPEC corridor to Central Asia-Russia-China and offer passage to Iran, Afghanistan and India i.e. attain a harbinger status by linking north-south corridor and east-west corridor within Eurasia. Pakistan has to focus on re-considering the concept of strategic depth and produce a new interpretation. Due to new sanctions, Russia imported food items and vegetables while looking for new avenues i.e. made a deal to provide military weapons to Thailand, in return. Countries like Philippines and Indonesia have increased cooperation, coordination and collaboration with Russia. The underlying concept is supporting the emerging Eurasian collaboration where differences manipulated are put to an end. To achieve the aim of restoring their relations, China and Russia, are taking unprecedented steps through a process of diffusing opposition and minimising differences i.e. their relations with territorial and regional neighbours in Asia. Both countries have improved their relations with ASEAN organisation – which may come to work under umbrella of SCO in near future. Pakistani society needs to understand the implications of remaining stuck in India-centrism approach.

Establishing parameters and contours requires a well thought out approach based on awareness and informed decision-making. It is imperative to build-up from within in order to extract and gain benefits from production, trade and development. Support Afghanistan’s democratic government and end the espionage programs inside the neighbouring country. Pakistani state agencies should cooperate with Afghani institutions. Similarly, Pakistan should address international concerns on terrorism. As the Parliamentary committee and Judicial Commission probe the case of Panama Papers, they need to be concerned with issues like the oligarchs emerging in Brazil after Rousseff’s resignation. Brazil has institutions and infrastructures but lost a chance to deliver in the course of ill-informed decision making and mismanaged priorities. Pakistani institutions need to cultivate a culture of ‘approachability.’ Erdogan’s policy is doomed to fail for it invites a military response and supports aggressive posture, elsewhere. Pakistan has a vibrant media where instead of banning social awareness programs like Udaari PEMRA should prove its professionalism and credential through filtering propagandist elements, whether sectarian, nationalist or religious. This will carve a path toward platforms that instill element of ‘positive learning’ i.e. for example, religious education be provided after broad-based education of twelve years. Pakistan needs to develop a culture of interdependence – not, distrust. We have made Kalabagh Dam a controversial issue like CPEC. According to PWRCR report, Pakistan will have no drinking water by 2025. Denying basics while attempting to reach for stars is fruitless endeavour. Many potential dams can be carved out which will provide better use.

Developing relations with SAARC, ASEAN and CARs will enhance the status of Pakistan. China’s CPEC has provided impetus to Pakistan’s growth as a regional player. To be considered as global player, Pakistan has to work in its relationship with these organisations along with Russia. During the period of developing Eurasian alliance, Pakistan can attempt to consolidate her position as a contributor through regional forums in the Asian continent. Pakistani society considers process of documentation as a light matter. It is through documentation that institutions deliver and true sense of accountability, exists. We have to self-examine our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and existential threats.

The ‘approachability’ concept is evident through China-ASEAN contention in the past that later developed into an opportunity for growth – as Russia emerged as a global power contender with the aim of supporting the case for ‘moral law is the highest law’. Elodie Sellier (The Diplomat) depicts the situation:

‘China published its first official Arab Policy Paper, claiming a “broad consensus on safeguarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity, defending national dignity, seeking political resolution to hotspot issues, and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East,” after the Saudi-Iranian rivalry came to the fore in the course of energy wars. In the recent decades, China’s increasing willingness to engage with international institutions is termed as one of the most dramatic changes in the People Republic of China’s foreign policy. This stance is underscored by China’s increasing power lending her credibility and reliability to confidently pursue an active interest-pursuit to influence world events or international institutions.’

Elodie Sellier further states:

‘These mounting challenges are dealt with principles of consensus and non-interference, alongside greater emphasis on regional institution-building, which are currently needed to accommodate the ever-evolving economic and security landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. ASEAN is to realize what it purports to be – “politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible” and “truly people-oriented, people-centered rules-based” concert of Southeast Asian nations, it will need more than just empty statements to overcome the “say-do” chasm and address the pervasive issues of worsening poverty and inequalities of wealth, resources, power and opportunities, let alone the questions of human rights and democracy… That said, economic influence goes hand in hand with political influence, and economic integration will be of little significance if it is not backed by sound political reforms. It is somewhat ironic that ASEAN as a regional entity, whose very raison d’être was born out of its leaders’ burning desire to avoid the recurrence of war and establish a durable and peaceful regional equilibrium, has to date remained focused on the integration of its economic pillar.’

It can be duly stated that there exists the possibility of a future where South East Asia will fall under Chinese dominance due to the New Silk route which involves passage through railroad and sea. This is where the periphery of East-West corridor of Asia will be located. Once connected to the Russian initiative of North-South Eurasia corridor – the Asian continent will gain an upper hand in trade, development and prosperity. Reforms are needed and as ASEAN member states slowly absorb the externalities generated by the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN leaders may want to consider preparing the groundwork to build more stable, secure societies, deepen ties with geographical neighbors and, eventually, develop a shared sense of regional community and purpose.

Pakistan pursued a policy to engage in dialogue on Kashmir in 2015. It was granted the host status for Commonwealth annual meeting. It was forgone in strong protest against foreign involvement in Balochistan and Afghanistan. Joint Pakistani-Indian Ufa declaration meant a diplomatic initiative to pursue matters of contention through mutual understanding.   Modi’s visit to Pakistan after visiting Russia and Afghanistan (where he inaugurated Afghanistan's new Parliament) was a positive step towards collaboration between the neighbours. Pointing out a solution or positive approach to learning- stated by Elodi Sellier:

‘China has been more skillful and used better diplomacy in Asia, the region where Beijing devotes the most time, energy, and attention. Through skillful diplomacy, it has helped orchestrate a revolution in attitudes over two decades.’

It is evident in the 1980s, where China did not even have relations with much of East Asia which included countries like including South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore. However, in the summer of 2007, China was holding joint military exercises with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). When asked in 2007 whom they trusted to wield global power, residents in countries like Thailand and Indonesia, traditional U.S. allies, chose China over the United States. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying, the corridor will "serve as a driver for connectivity between South Asia and East Asia." Mushahid Hussain, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, told China Daily that the economic corridor:

"will play a crucial role in regional integration of the 'Greater South Asia', which includes China, Iran, Afghanistan, and stretches all the way to Myanmar."

The Eastern Alignment serves us as a military deterrent. By placing a major Chinese-Pakistani asset within 100 KM's; a strategic line in the sand. In an event of a conflict, Indians would think 100  times before attacking the lines of communication which serve billions of dollars worth of trade interests to not only Pakistan but China and other CPEC partner states. The Magazine, The Diplomat, provides key insight to the 'ASEAN way-forward' which refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respects the cultural norms of Southeast Asia. Masilamani and Peterson summarize it as:

"...a working process or style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilize compromise, consensus, and consultation in the informal decision-making process... it above all prioritizes a consensus-based, non-conflictual way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid embarrassment that may lead to further conflict."

It has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might "...be usefully applied to global conflict management."

The scenarios mentioned above can prove beneficial in terms of minimising the skirmish between Saudis and Iranians, Turks and Syrians, India and Pakistan; will be a difficult task nevertheless an achievable one when put in the contours of Regional Cooperation in the context of ASEAN, another platform where China factor is the considered most influential in terms of national interests of South East Asian nations and Pacific countries. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a political and economic organization of ten Southeast Asian countries. SAARC, CAU, GCC, Arab League, SCO, BRICS can learn from their innovative initiatives in terms of solutions to economic and political challenges.

According to The Diplomat, the agreement on the creation of an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) signed on November 22 in Kuala Lumpur by Southeast Asian countries finally entered into force heralding the “awakening” of what could be defined as a new Asian power bloc allowing for the free movement of goods, services and skilled labor, a major departure from what has been considered since the earliest days of its existence as a political project for peaceful regional integration. Integrating ASEAN economies would create the world’s seventh-largest single market. For economic integration to succeed, minimum levels of uniformity in political, economic and cultural standing among countries are essential. In the case of Asia, a solution to Afghanistan problem will enhance the possibilities. Given the wide development gaps between countries, combined with the lack of solid and inclusive institutional structures and agencies to govern the newly formed markets under the AEC, it is somewhat ironic that ASEAN as a regional entity, whose very raison d’être was born out of its leaders’ burning desire to avoid the recurrence of war and establish a durable and peaceful regional equilibrium, has to date remained focused on the integration of its economic pillar. Tiny state of Laos assumed the ASEAN chairmanship in 2016. In 2014, China became Laos’ leading investor with funds totaling more than $5 billion, while the Sino-Laos agreement on the building of a $6 billion high-speed railway project as part of the PRC’s One Belt, One Road project offers a telling glimpse into how Laos has become a frontier for Chinese investment. With Russia, China and India pursuing an active stance in the respective regional arena, incorporating the interests of neighbouring states, which allows space for a non-militaristic agenda.

Disputes of Philippines and Japan with China were mitigated through activation of Eurasian channels with Russia taking the lead at Russia-ASEAN summit at Sochi. The ASEAN countries have recognized it as an opportunity to reiterate as a policy of ‘consensus and non-interference.’ SCO and BRICS are glimpses into the priorities of Eurasian powers. This development had an impact on South Asian, Middle Eastern and Central Asian states. Mutual cooperation increased which also affirms the South East Asian approach of ‘consensus and non-interference.’ It is evident in Iran, India and Afghanistan Chahbahar port deal.  While Gwadar lends Pakistan a breathing space, there lingers another problem. According to PCRWR, Pakistan may run out of water by 2025. Pakistani federal government and provincial administrations should consider the criticality of the situation. Most of the rivers in Pakistan have their source in Indian territory upon which dams are being built by the neighbor. Geo-spatial Bill was passed in India parliament, which regards the geographical element inherently central to the theme of combining geo-economic policy and geo-strategic interests. This development can be termed as a step towards strengthening long term national policy. Discussion on such important issues should be held in the Pakistani parliament. Considering the significance of Chahbahar port deal at a time when Syrian ceasefire plan is in place, the impending (developing) situation depicts that Afghanistan and Syria are (have been) inextricably linked throughout the ages in both , spiritual and material terms ( as in the role of buffer states ). It was a 20th century philosopher (Allama Iqbal) who stated in his book Stray Reflections – Future of Afghanistan:

‘The verdict of history is that buffer states have never been able to form themselves into great political units. So was the case with Syria – a buffer state between the Empire of Rome and that of the Persians. It seems difficult to forecast the future of Afghanistan.’

Holding Afghanistan: Heart of Asia conference as a democratic government initiative is futile without providing actual help through the course of intertwining geo-economic policy and aligning geo-strategic interests. Turkey failed in this attempt due to militarism. Russia has audacity to succeed despite the encirclement. This is due to the undeterred support of Putin to a converged multi-polar world system where the resurgent resolve of ‘highest law is the moral law’ is the deterrence factor to a global military dictatorship of Euro-Jewish state of Israel i.e. Pax Judaica.

The insight of the philosopher Iqbal was established through the events occurring at his time on the International stage. He said that if Tehran becomes the Geneva of the East, it is possible that the destiny of the East might change (from being subjugated to general freedom). Pakistan can become part of the ‘balancing act’ signified through Iran’s turn from (western Asia) militaristic adventures in Middle East that culminated in Syrian ceasefire plan (at the hands of Russia)  to engaging with the emerging and newly defined importance of (East Asian) Af-Pak region. This requires sensible and intelligent policy. Pakistan should improve relations with her neighbours as a gesture of ‘goodwill’ and to enhance her capability to effectively and efficiently contribute input and extricate or gain positive output through utilising a pro-active approach towards the developments taking place in the region. The opposite outcome can be the similar situation to the International treatment of North Korea. Hence, there exists a great example for learning through Iqbal’s reference to the link between Syria and Afghanistan.  A new foreign policy that is based upon norm of reviewing and redefining the approach in the rapidly changing and developing global situation – can manage to cater the needs for evolutionary democracy. Pakistani leadership should extend cordial relations with her South Asian ‘neighbours’, Middle Eastern ‘relatives’,  Central Asian ‘acquaintances' and, the South East and Far East Asian ‘friends’. The beginning step would be restoring peace in Afghanistan with the help of Eurasian nations whose pivot is towards a central geo-economic policy and geo-strategic interests. Russia ensured Syrian ceasefire plan. A combined Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Central Asian and Chinese program to support Afghanistan’s democratic government can be a defining step towards a ‘Peaceful Asia’. This is possible through the process of becoming a part of eastern geo-economic policy to counter-balance western geo-strategic interest. It is time that Pakistani leadership learns from the leaders around the world and engages in a proactive manner. An accountable government can follow such path. As the case of Panama Papers is discussed in Parliament committee and will be scrutinized in judicial commission – we must attempt to correct our mistakes. One day, we might have an effective foreign policy based on a sustainable institutional framework.

The Nation reported on 23rd December 2013 in the news published – Indo-Pak Nuclar war to 'end civilisation' with famine: Study:

'According to International Physicians for the prevention of nuclear war, a limited nuclear exchange would result in a conflict with nuclear weapons that would wreak havoc in the atmosphere and devastate crop yields dwindling the food production with the effects multiplied as global food markets go into turmoil.’

Ira Hefland, the report’s author, said that the study looked at India and Pakistan due to the longstanding tensions between the nuclear-armed states, which have fought three full-fledged wars since independence and partition in 1947.

Helfand said that:

''the planet would expect a similar apocalyptic impact from any limited nuclear war where the Modern nuclear weapons are far more powerful than the US bombs that killed more than 200,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. With a large war between the United States and Russia, we are talking about the possible - not certain, but possible - extinction of the human race. In this kind of war, biologically there are going to be people surviving somewhere on the planet but the chaos that would result from this will dwarf anything we’ve ever seen.”

The study said that the black carbon aerosol particles kicked into the atmosphere by a South Asian nuclear war would reduce US corn and soybean production by around 10 percent over a decade. The particles would also reduce China’s rice production by an average of 21 percent over four years and by another 10 percent over the following six years. The updated study also found severe effects on China’s wheat, which is vital to the country despite its association with rice. China’s wheat production would plunge by 50 percent the first year after the nuclear war and would still be 31 percent below baseline a decade later. The study said it was impossible to estimate the exact impact of nuclear war. In a second edition, the groups said they widely underestimated the impact in China and calculated that the world’s most populous country would face severe food insecurity. A billion people dead in the developing world is obviously a catastrophe unparalleled in human history. But then if you add to that the possibility of another 1.3 billion people in China being at risk, we are entering something that is clearly the end of civilisation.

Pakistan needs to incorporate the geo-economic policy of Chabahar plan and ASEAN Economic community (AEC) and deliver it as a periphery to the central tenets of (umbrella) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) priorities. It will restore balance against the Geo-strategic aims of Pro-Israeli NATO's inevitable attempt to secure the Euro-Jewish State of Israel while Iran has moved its gaze towards Eastern Asia to collect gains before the conflict in Middle East would intensify and nosedive the Syrian cease-fire plan. When will the foreign ministry of Pakistan initiate a policy to indulge the various ministries whose input can drive our Nation-State to take benefit of the global situation prevailing in the world system. To take control of the situation; Minister of Planning, Development & Reforms, Ministers of Health & Education and Minister of Interior Affairs need to work on collaboration, coordination and cooperation provided by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will involve the role of ministries like Water and Power, Science and Technology,  Ports and Shipping, Petroleum and Natural resources, Food security and research, Law, Justice & Human rights, Industries and Production and, Commerce and Textile as well as other ministries. A pro-active policy will benefit, a lot. Will the Pakistani Government take up the mantle to change the country's subservient and subjugated role to a more defining and enhanced role?

Waqas Mahmood Ali

Waqas Mahmood Ali is a graduate of University of London External Program; currently a MBA Executive student at Lahore School of Economics. Living years of adolescence in Brunei Darussalam and spending youth in Pakistan has inspired Waqas to pursue research interests in matters related to Asia and international news


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