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| Prime Minister chairing a high-level security meeting |
What does the term “National Interest” mean? The first definition that comes to the mind is the collective interest of the whole nation. This is a very ambiguous and broad definition that can be chopped into smaller sub-definitions. The first and foremost national interest is the survival of a nation-state, which is not possible without substantial defense capabilities, economic progress, strategic partnerships, and alliances etc.So these areas form also part of the nation’s core interests.
Hans Morgenthau defines National interest as the guiding star for the nations to follow while dealing with other nations. National Defence University (Islamabad) defines National interest as the important need and the breeding ground from which relations with other countries originate.
Pakistan's National Interest
As we already stated that National interest is the collective interest of a nation-state so it changes with time, geographical position, the situation in the region and in the world as a whole. There are many diverging views about the national interest of Pakistan. Some people in the intelligentsia promote one line of thinking as the National interest whereas others differ substantially and to the other line of thinking but we have adopted a policy line on the state-level to pursue our National interest since our independence, which needs to be followed.
Pakistan came into being as an Islamic ideological state whose basis of formation was in Pan-Islamism. This provided a foundation for the future foreign policy that we have to follow in coming decades. Soon after the independence Pakistan pursued close relations with Muslim countries, supported Kashmir, Indonesian, Algerian and Palestinian cause and moved towards forming a bloc of Muslim Nations. Pakistan itself was suffering from a wide range of problems including refugee influx, economic collapse, lack of trained manpower and resources.
At that critical juncture, Pakistan needed economic as well as military aid. This can be provided only by two superpowers of the time, America, and USSR. USSR was ideologically an Athiest state and was more of a military power than of an economic power. So it was natural for Pakistan to jump into the bandwagon of America. Pakistan remained part of the American block during the decade of 50 and 60 under the pretext of “SEATO” and “CENTO”. The strategy was to find a strong and powerful ally vis-à-vis India. Chinese-Pakistan alliance was also part of the great thinking to counter India. 70’s was a catastrophic decade for Pakistan because one of our wings was captured by the enemy, India and later became an independent state.
After that, Pakistan became the member of the Non-Aligned Movement due to general pressure and feeling that America betrayed us during the crisis. Pakistan took another U-turn during the 80s when it again formed an alliance with USA against USSR. Both the countries decide based upon their national interest to cooperate with each other, America wanted to break the Soviet power whereas Pakistan was fearful of the Soviet expansion into Pakistan. After the defeat of Soviets, both the countries moved away from each other.
When Taliban started taking over Afghanistan during the turmoil season of the 90s, Pakistan supported them in its National and regional interest. Peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan because of two reasons; one was that Pakistan would focus more on the Eastern front and other was the access to the Central the Asian States, which was only possible through peaceful Afghanistan.
At that critical juncture, Pakistan needed economic as well as military aid. This can be provided only by two superpowers of the time, America, and USSR. USSR was ideologically an Athiest state and was more of a military power than of an economic power. So it was natural for Pakistan to jump into the bandwagon of America. Pakistan remained part of the American block during the decade of 50 and 60 under the pretext of “SEATO” and “CENTO”. The strategy was to find a strong and powerful ally vis-à-vis India. Chinese-Pakistan alliance was also part of the great thinking to counter India. 70’s was a catastrophic decade for Pakistan because one of our wings was captured by the enemy, India and later became an independent state.
After that, Pakistan became the member of the Non-Aligned Movement due to general pressure and feeling that America betrayed us during the crisis. Pakistan took another U-turn during the 80s when it again formed an alliance with USA against USSR. Both the countries decide based upon their national interest to cooperate with each other, America wanted to break the Soviet power whereas Pakistan was fearful of the Soviet expansion into Pakistan. After the defeat of Soviets, both the countries moved away from each other.
When Taliban started taking over Afghanistan during the turmoil season of the 90s, Pakistan supported them in its National and regional interest. Peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan because of two reasons; one was that Pakistan would focus more on the Eastern front and other was the access to the Central the Asian States, which was only possible through peaceful Afghanistan.
After the 2001 attack on twin towers of World Trade Centre, America invaded Afghanistan. Pakistan became part of the international coalition against terrorism, keeping its National interest as priority number one. In the changing regional situation, Pakistan is moving towards Russia and China to counter American inclination towards India. Kashmir region has always been and will be an integral part of our National policy and to very raise this issue on international forums to attract the attention of international community.
One may agree or disagree with the policies and priorities of our leaders but it is a fact that they have tried to safeguard the interests of our country both in military and economic terms.
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