Building image of a country cannot be done successfully if the international relations of a country are lopsided and based on temporary advantage.Currently the image of Pakistan in the world community is predominantly what the global powers especially the US;publicise it as.History is witness to this fact that international relations of Pakistan were maintained by immediate domestic concerns rather than a dispassionate analysis of international realities.Though Pakistan has remained a key non-NATO ally of the US since 2004 but both countries have seen divergence and convergence of interests.The packages like ‘Enhanced Partnership Act 2009’ (Kerry Lugar Act) reflects the divergent interests and can tarnish Pakistan’s image further.It is necessary for the govt of Pakistan to have dialogue on equal footings with the US govt,either it be regarding ‘US Drone Strikes’on enhancing military operation against militants hideouts in Pakistan.Complications may come in the course of action but building a sovereign image is above all the crisis.
The image of a country is chiefly reflected in its relations with the closest neighbor.The diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India have always been troubled marked by ‘conflict and confrontation’ ever since 1947.The image of Pakistan is always tried to be distorted by India time and again especially after the emergence of militancy in Pakistan.Two major terrorists incidents in India i.e.’Samjhota Express Incident’ and ‘Mumbai Attacks (in 2008)’ have become a clever tactic of the Indian govt to defame Pakistan internationally as a terrorist state,and it has remained successful in doing so.
Banning the Jihadi organizations like ‘Lashkar-e-Tayyeba’ in Pakistan did not fulfill the purpose as Pakistan is still confronting the ambivalent views of the international world of being either the ‘source’ or the’ victim’of terrorism.Pakistan govt must actively,resume the stalled peace process as the negative propaganda of the Indian govt,against Pakistan has deeply harmed Pakistans’s image in the world.It is necessary for Pakistan (to avoid) being a punching bag of India.
The trend of our times is peace and development through regional cooperation.Standing on firm footings in this arena of foreign policy is essential to build a strong image internationally.This is a true of South Asia,East Asia or Central Asia as it is of Europe,Africa and Middle East.Regional cooperation has been an important element of Pakistan’s foreign policy and we started this journey in 1964 when Pakistan,Iran and Turkey motivated by a regional impulse,established a cooperative mechanism called “Regional Cooperation for Development” or RCD.
In 1979 it was revised as Economic Cooperation Organization.Regional Cooperation can be an important tool for Pakistan to build its image in the member countries of these organizations such as ECO,OIC,and SAARC.Though disparities in the form of govt and economic inequalities hurdled the very process of mutual understanding but these organizations are an important platform for a country like Pakistan to establish a peaceful and pleasant image in the neighbouring countries ;though OIC and SAARC have not played a very practical role but ECO served to revive the historical,cultural and emotional links among the people of the region.
