Challenges for foreign policy

Introduction Host 1

Aoa I am Syed Nauman and host 2 (Ayesha Ali) and we are currently doing bachelors in
Mass communication from Numl. Today we have a topic which holds a lot of importance
as far as our country’s economy and realtions are concerned so to discuss the foreign
policy of Pakistan we have few students with us who will help us to see what challenges
are faced by the policy and how should the foreign ministry over comes that! Now I will
introduce you to our guests (1) Sohail (2) Roha (3) Nazish (4) Muneeb thank you all of
you for your time.

What is Foreign policy?

A country's foreign policy, also called foreign relations or foreign affairs policy, consists
of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to
achieve goals within its international relations milieu.

Host 2 Now the question arises is why it is so important?

Importance? (Host) 2

Foreign policy is important because it determines the state of relationships between

countries and guides the diplomats in negotiations. If a country is too aggressive and
refuses to take into the legitimate interests of other countries, it may face a push back
or even an armed conflict.

HOST 2

Question: Do you think the objectives of this policy can be addressed by the foreign
misnistry?

Guest 1 (Sohail)

UNLIKE its daunting domestic objectives, Pakistan’s external agenda, though

challenging, is fairly clear. And, although overstretched, Islamabad has the capacity in its
Foreign Service and the ‘security establishment’ to address this agenda.
HOST 1

With this foreign policy we are currently facing a lot of Challenges and in order to make
this policy worth it we need to cope with it.

Guest 1 (Sohail)

(Q) So how do you see the china pakistan strategic partnership?

China has the strategic motivation and financial, technological and weapons capabilities
to help Pakistan emerge as a militarily strong and economically dynamic state. The
substance and depth of the future strategic partnership will depend mainly on the
ability of the Pakistan government and its private sector to conceive and execute
cooperative projects and ventures with China. A special entity dedicated to timely and
efficient implementation of CPEC could be decisive in realising its full potential.

Host 2

Guest 1 (Sohail)

(Q) What about managing the China US rivalry?

The Trump administration has designated China as a strategic competitor and opposes
China’s Belt and Road Initiative including its flagship, CPEC. The US diplomatic and media
onslaught against China and CPEC has intensified.

With growing indications that Donald Trump wants a hurried withdrawal from
Afghanistan , agreement on the role China can and should play in stabilising the region
must become a priority for Pakistan’s regional diplomacy.
Host 1

Guest 2 (Muneeb)

(Q) How is the kashmir dispute between Pakistan and india can effect the policy?

Normalisation with India is highly unlikely so long as it continues its oppression in

occupied Kashmir and refuses to resume a comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan. To
defend Kashmiris’ fundamental rights, Pakistan must launch an international diplomatic
and media campaign to project and condemn India’s human rights violations in occupied

Kashmir (confirmed and documented in the recent report of the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights).

Host 2

Guest 2 (Muneeb)

(Q) Terrorism has effected Pakistan in so many ways will it effect it this time when
india is trying to portray a bad image of pakistan!

India’s campaign to portray Pakistan as a sponsor of ‘terrorism’ is designed to constrict

Islamabad’s ability to advance its national security and economic development goals.
Fortunately, this campaign, although supported by the US, has failed so far. Pakistan
must kill it. To this end, it could: 1) fulfil its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions
(placing required restraints on designated entities and persons); 2) insist on elimination
of the BLA and TTP presence from Afghanistan in the context of an Afghan political
settlement, and 3) launch a diplomatic and media campaign to project India’s state-
sponsored terrorism in Kashmir and from Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Host 1

Guest 3 (Nazish)

(Q) Is the relationship between Pakistan and saudi Araba is helping pakistan’s
economy?

The government has, by force of circumstance, revived Pakistan’s close relationship with
Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Their financial support is essential at present to keep the
economy afloat. The future commercial viability of Gwadar (and CPEC) depends to a
considerable extent on its emergence as the oil and gas transshipment centre and a
petrochemical complex.

Host 2

Guest 3 (Nazish

(Q) What necessary roles in your view should be played by the diplomats ?

Pakistan’s diplomats and embassies should play a larger role in promoting trade and
investment. But Pakistan must first be able to produce goods and services it can export
and create the economic environment conducive for foreign investment.

Host 1

Guest 4 (Roha)

(Q) What should Pakistan do in order to support the other Islamic nations?

Pakistan should revive its traditional leadership role in the Muslim world which
confronts multiple challenges. An initiative to provide humanitarian support to Muslims
in occupied territories and war zones could be a worthy initiative.
Host 2

Guest 4 (Roha)

(Q) What global challenges are faced by Pakistan?

By population Pakistan is the sixth largest country, it has been excluded from most
groupings of the powerful — G20, BRICS, APEC, etc. Yet, by this very token, Pakistan is
well placed to lead the vast majority of developing countries, which have also been
excluded from these ‘elite’ groups, and ensure their voices are heard on global issues
like climate change, development and disarmament.

Host 2

Ending

Well thank you so much all of you from your worthy presence here I am sure we have
learnt a lot from this discussion and gained something out of it . Well I would like to end
this up with a awarness message do save water because pakistan could run dry by 2025
as the shortage is at alarming level.