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Last updated: November 2018

mmahindro@yahoo.com

Pakistan’s Role in the Region

With around 220 million people pakistan is 6th largest country in the world. Area
wise it is 36th. It is geopolitically important as it is located at the cross roads of East Asia,
Middle East, Central Asia, and Arabian Sea. It has a 1046 long coast line along the Arabian Sea
and the Gulf of Oman. It is bordered by India, China, Afghanistan, and Iran, and is separated
from Tajikistan by Afghanistan just by 20 KM wide WA khan strip in the north Pakistan also
shares maritime border with Oman.

Pakistan is a regional Middle power next to India in South Asia and has a seventh largest
standing armed forces in the world with a declared Nuclear weapon state, the only in the Muslim
world. It is a semi-industrialized economy with a well-integrated agricultural set up. It is 41th
largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP and is characterized as one of the
emerging economy of the world. A 2013 report published by the World Bank positioned
Pakistan's economy at 24th largest in the world. Pakistan is expected to become the 18th largest
economy in the world by 2050 with a GDP of US$ 3.33 trillion as maintained by Goldman
Sachs, 2015. Nearly 7-million Pakistani diaspora mainly in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait,
Australia, Canada, USA, UK and Norway contributes more than $US12 billion to the economy.
Textile industry of Pakistan enjoys a pivotal position in the exports of Pakistan and is the
8th largest exporter of textile products in Asia. It is 4th largest producer of cotton with the third
largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and India.
It is member of UNO, CW, ECO, SAARC, OIC, Asian Infrastructure Investment bank led
by China, D8, and G20 developing nations.
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Foreign relations of Pakistan:

The geostrategic intentions of Pakistan were explained by its founding father
Muhammad Ali Jinnah in broadcast message in the following words in 1947.
“The foundation of our foreign policy is friendship with all nations across the globe”
The world knows that Pakistan's nuclear deterrence program is focused on countering
India's aggressive designs which was developed only after detonation of nuclear tests by India
just to maintain geo-political balance in its neighborhood. Currently, Pakistan is following a
policy of maintaining ‘credible minimum deterrence’ against any foreign aggression.
Located in strategic and geopolitical corridor of the world's major maritime oil supply lines
very near to the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf it is contiguous to China in
proximity to Central Asia in the north. The present move of development of China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor could be viewed in the background of the aforementioned. Pakistan is an
influential and founding member of the OIC.
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It played a role of non- NATO ally of the USA in its war against terrorism after 9/11 in 2001.
Maintaining cultural, political, social, and economic relations with the Muslim world in general
and Arab world in particular has given it a significant leverage in the world politics. Pakistan
was the first country to have established diplomatic relations with China and relations continues
to be warm since China's war with India in 1962. In the 1970s Pakistan greatly helped China in
reaching out to the world's major countries and facilitated first US President Nixon’s state visit to
China.
Despite the change of governments in Pakistan, China policy in Pakistan remained all time
cordial. China is Pakistan's largest trading partner with substantial Chinese investment in
Pakistan's infrastructural expansion including the Pakistani deep-water port at Gwadar.
Pakistan maintains very close cultural, political and economic relations with Turkey, Saudi
Arabia and UAE. However the Kashmir issue remains the major point of rift with India. It has
fought three wars with India up till now. Pakistan was the closest ally of the US in its war against
the Soviets in Afghanistan during 1979-89. However relations with Russia have greatly
improved since 1999 and cooperation with various sectors have increased between Russia and
Pakistan.
Pakistan’s relations with US did not remain cordial throughout. It was a close ally of the
United States during the cold war but relations soured in the 1990s when the U.S. imposed
sanctions on Pakistan for detonating atomic device in 1998. However relations improved during
US led ousting of Taliban regime in Afghanistan and its fight against terrorism 2001 onward
amidst US concerns about Pakistan’s doing less against Afghan Taliban. Even at present US
relations with India are far advanced than Pakistan.
Joint military exercises are occasionally carried out with the militaries of China, US and
Turkey. Pakistan has actively participated in UN peacekeeping missions. According to UN
reports, Pakistan is the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. It played a major
role in rescuing trapped American soldiers from Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993.
Pakistan at occasions deployed its military in some Arab countries in the past and also
provides training to their armed force. Pakistani air force pilots voluntarily served in Arab
nations against Israel in six days war 1967 and during 1973, in which they shot down ten Israeli
planes. During 1979 on the request of Saudi Arabia Pakistani forces rushed to assist Saudi forces
to lead operation in Mecca against the insurgents. Since 2004, Pakistani military is engaged in
Waziristan to fight against the terrorists.

Role in the region

Taking cognizance of the modern world trends such as renunciation of war, peaceful
settlement of disputes and economic development, Pakistan has always played a positive role in
regional stability and peace.
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As regards the sacrifices, rendered by the people of Pakistan and Armed Forces, during the
Global War on Terror, the idea of regional stability and peace cannot be better understood other
than Pakistan which has faced huge losses in political, social, economic and military terms. In
this regard, several personnel of its Armed Forces and intelligence agencies, especially those of
the ISI were martyred; while the country has born the brunt of unimaginable collateral damage,
instability, perennial acts of subversion, sectarian violence and so on. In the last 13 years,
Pakistan’s losses, during war against terrorism have amounted to over 100 billion dollars.

In the last few years, while ignoring the responsibilities of the US, ISAF and Afghan regime,
US-led NATO powers have continuously been insisting upon Pakistan to ‘do more’ against the
militancy in the tribal areas in order to stop cross-border terrorism in Afghanistan. In this regard,
the then US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and some high officials accused Pak Army and ISI
of close contact with the Haqqani network.

During her visit to India, the then US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton remarked that
Pakistan must do more to tackle terror groups operating from its territory being used for attacks
that destabilized Afghanistan or India. And when she visited Pakistan, she recognized by saying,
“Pakistan has a critical role to play in supporting Afghan reconciliation and ending the conflict.”
The US Secretary of State explained, “Her country is also committed to the economic
development of Pakistan”, and “supports regional economic integration between Pakistan and all
its neighbors.” Besides, US top officials have repeatedly stated that Pakistan has a key to the
stability and peace in Afghanistan, and they need Islamabad’s help in this respect.

It is mentionable that since April 2011, some 200 to 400 heavily-armed insurgents from
Afghanistan’s side entered Pakistan’s region from time to time, targeting the security check posts
and other infrastructure. In this connection, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership have lodged a
strong protest with their counterparts in Afghanistan and NATO, saying that their forces were
doing nothing to check the activities of the insurgents, based in the Afghan provinces of Kunar
and Nuristan. Afghan government also refused to hand over Maulvi Fazlullah, leader of Tehreek-
e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants who have been conducting subversive acts in
Pakistan.

The way the Afghan militants are carrying out cross-border attacks into Pakistan is sufficient
to prove that secret agencies like Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad which have well-established
their collective network in Afghanistan are fully on the back of these incursions to destabilize
Pakistan.
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Afghanistan is also acting as a hub from where these secret agencies are sending logistic
support to Baloch separatist elements. Besides several personnel of security agencies in
Baluchistan, these foreign-backed elements kidnapped and killed many innocent people
particularly Chinese nationals so as to keep them away from Pakistan to cultivate any
constructive relationship. However at the time of withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan
in 2014 their equipment was moved via Pakistani route.

Nonetheless, in the post-2014 scenario, despite the presence of American troops on small
scale, India which is assisting the Northern Alliance against the Afghan militants does not seem
in a position to counter the Taliban guerrilla warfare as a substitute of NATO. Afghanistan thus
appears to remain in an era of uncertainty and civil war. So, to be realistic, USA and other
western countries should realize that unlike India, Pakistan shares common geographical,
historical, religious and cultural bonds with Afghanistan. Therefore US must invoke Pakistani
role instead of India to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region at large.

Pakistan has also concluded security agreement with Iran for border management. Besides,
Pakistan has also participated in the conferences which also include Turkey—with the aim for
regional stability and peace. Pakistan’s willingness to resolve issue of infiltration across the Pak-
Afghan border, terrorism, and to invest in development of social sector like health and education
in Afghanistan shows its peaceful diplomacy. It was in this context that on May 18, 2015
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff; Gen. Raheel Sharif visited Afghanistan, and participated in a
tripartite meeting with the Afghan Chief of General Staff, and ISAF Commander. They reviewed
the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan. The transfer of security responsibility to Afghan
National Security Forces in the wake of US, ISAF drawdown—enhanced bilateralism between
Islamabad and Kabul with particular emphasis on coordination arrangements along Pak-Afghan
Border. Gen Sharif said that Pakistan considers security and terrorism as the common enemy of
both the countries.

Pakistan and the region around is extremely exposed to extremism. Terrorist’s attacks are
going on all over Pakistan with much larger intensity in KPK, Baluchistan and Karachi mostly
against the Shia community and Government organizations and personnel. This has inter alia
resulted into strained relations with Iran. Pakistan’s reluctance to send troops to fight against the
Houthi Shia rebels in Yemen in line with Saudi Arabia wish was in the background of emerging
concerns in its vast Shia community and Iran aftermath the dispatch.
The world has become increasingly interconnected and interdependent with respect to trade,
investment, technology transfer and acquisition of political and strategic leverages. Hence
conflict, clash and unrest in one region greatly affect other parts of the world resulting into
disruption of international supply chains. Resolution of conflicts, therefore, have become more
important and need to take immediate steps have enormously increased to avert any escalation of
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the conflict. Hence cooperation rather than confrontation appears to be the more realistic
approach in this scenario. Bilateral and multilateral agreements are therefore have to be
concluded in such a way that all parties gain justly and fairly to give the long lasting effect to the
agreements, otherwise it would be a futile exercise if any party subsequently fails to meet its
commitments.
The Indian Ocean has now become the world’s most important route for the movement of
cargo ships. More than 80 percent of the world’s seaborne trade in oil passes through the Indian
Ocean’s choke points viz; the straits of Hormuz, Malacca, and Bab el Mandeb originating from
Persian Gulf. In addition to energy, vast quantities of manufactured goods from Eastern China,
South Korea, Japan, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and other ASEAN countries
are finding their way to Middle East, Africa, and Europe through Indian Ocean. Hence smooth
flow of goods on the international sea lanes is very much in the collective interest of the regional
and extra regional nations.
Socio- political unrest in parts of India and Pakistan including Kashmir issue, volatile
situation in parts of Pakistan in the face of ongoing fight against the terrorists in FATA and
criminality in Karachi have to be pragmatically addressed for a lasting peace in the region.
As regards Pakistan more than 95 percent of its trade is sea borne and major part of its
Petroleum imports comes from the Gulf. Continuous flow of energy resources through the Strait
of Hormuz is essential for the sustenance of its economy and wellbeing. It is therefore, in
Pakistan’s interest to have unimpeded Sea lane environment in the Arabian Sea. Cognizant of its
international obligations and interests the Pakistan Navy joined the US led multi-national
Coalition Task Force-150, under the ambit of Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan. The mission of
this task force is to work with regional navies to counter extremism, terrorism and illegal
activities at sea.
Pakistan Navy has made its presence felt in the recent times in large parts of the western
Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea including Horn of Africa, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. The
enduring participation in multinational coalition operations aside, the institution of International
Maritime Conferences fastened to Amman series of exercises every two years has enhanced the
Pakistani image as well as that of the Pakistan Navy in the region and beyond.

The SAARC Chapter:

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organization of
eight South Asian nations, established on 8 December 1985. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are the founding members whereas Afghanistan joined
afterward in 2007. The objectives are the promotion of economic, social, and cultural ties among
the member states.
Since the Association's start, Pakistan has remained an active player on the SAARC platform.
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It has contributed meaningfully to the establishment of its various institutions and overall
progress of the Association.

The ECO Chapter:

The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an inter-governmental organization
involving seven Asian and three Eurasian nations. It provides a platform to discuss ways to
improve development and promote trade, and investment opportunities. ECO's secretariat and
cultural department are located in Tehran, its economic bureau is in Turkey and its scientific
bureau is situated in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s potential in telecommunication, agriculture, food, industry, trade and many other
sectors made it significant as it can play its role for the betterment of rest of the member nations
by providing them with technical assistance.

Pakistan as a ‘stabilizing factor’ in the region:

While acknowledging the role of Pakistan in regional peace the US has termed the country
a “stabilizing factor” in the region particularly with reference to Pakistan’s multi-faceted support
which it provided to the International community in war on terror, UN peacekeeping missions,
and shipment of US/NATO equipment through its soil.
Pakistan’s operation Zarb-e-Azb has been very successful and is going to set stage for
eventual elimination of militancy from the country and the adjoining areas. The point to mention
is that despite Pakistan’s meager financial resources its armed forces have carried out the
operation with full zest. Pakistan’s this action is going a long way in creating peace and stability
in the region including Afghanistan necessitating requisite support from Afghanistan.
The contemporary era is characterized by interdependence and the need to work
collectively for peace and stability. The Indian Ocean region is all set to play a crucial role in the
21st century and is likely to remain a hotbed of traditional and non-traditional threats as well as
other security challenges. Pakistan enjoys a unique position in the region. In line with national
policies, the Pakistan Navy has an important role to play in ensuring regional maritime security
and stability. The way ahead to address various challenges to regional maritime security is the
formulation of a Collaborative Maritime Security Apparatus. However, a pre-requisite to make
any pragmatic headway in this regard will be to resolve contentious issues and disagreements
between the regional states through dialogue and political process. Such an approach could
facilitate confidence building and trust between the regional countries, leading to the furtherance
of cooperation in combating maritime crime and stability of the ocean for the collective benefit
of the states concerned. Further there is an increasing awareness about Pakistan’s ability to play a
meaningful role in stabilizing Afghanistan and the region at large. Dialogue process between
Taliban and Afghan Government in Pakistan could be fruitful in the times to come.
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