Contents

Foreign Policy of Pakistan post 9/11 ...................... 1

1. Introduction ........................................... 1
2. Basic principles of Foreign policy of Pakistan right
before 9/11 ............................................... 2
3. Goals of Foreign Policy of Pakistan .................... 2
4. Incidence of 9/11 ...................................... 3
5. Foreign Policy of Pakistan post 9/11 ................... 3
1. Change in Pakistan’s Afghan policy post 9/11 .......... 4
2. Change in Pakistan’s Kashmir policy post 9/11 ......... 5
6. Impact of change in foreign policy after 9/11 .......... 6
1. Benefits of change in foreign policy .................. 6
2. Costs of change in foreign policy ..................... 6
7. Hurdles in the way of achieving foreign policy ......... 7
8. Measure that can help in achieving foreign policy ...... 7
9. Conclusion ............................................. 8

Foreign Policy of Pakistan post 9/11

1. Introduction
Foreign policy is defined as relation between two sovereign
states. It is formulated by considering the national
interests and domestic, international, regional and global
dynamics. It indicates the principles and preferences on
which a country wants to establish its relations with other
countries. A country may cultivate relation with other
country to get cooperation and support in diplomatic,
defense, economic and cultural dimensions. Pakistan is a
developing country and has formulated its foreign policy by
keeping in mind its geography, politics and economy. Jinnah
once said that our foreign policy would be based on

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friendliness and goodwill, non-aggression, honest and fair
play, promotion of peace and prosperity, and upholding of
UN Charter. Since inception, Pakistan has been in relation
with its neighbors (India, Afghanistan, China, and Iran),
USA, USSR, Muslim countries and other countries of the
world. Pakistan’s foreign policy before 9/11 was based on
respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-
alignment and non-interference, and cordial relations with
the Muslim countries. But 9/11 proved to be the turning
point in the foreign policy of Pakistan. It forced Pakistan
to reconsider its foreign policy towards Afghanistan,
India, USA, Russia, China, and Muslim countries that has
far lasting effect on Pakistan.
2. Basic principles of Foreign policy of
Pakistan right before 9/11
Foreign policy of Pakistan was based on the following
principles before 9/11:
1. Respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
2. Non-interference and non-alignment
3. Cordial relations with Muslim countries
4. Following the basic ideology of Islam
5. Promotion of world peace
6. Implementation of UN Charter
7. Resolution of Kashmir Issue
3. Goals of Foreign Policy of Pakistan
Followings are the goals of FP of Pakistan:
1. Mutual cooperation and support in the diplomatic,
defense, economic, education, science and technology,
and cultural dimensions for mutual benefits
2. Domestic, regional and global peace and security
3. Balance of power in the region
4. Countering terrorism and extremism
5. Seeking the membership of regional and international
organizations

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4. Incidence of 9/11
9/11 changed the scenario of the whole world. About 2800
people were died when attacks were made on WTC and
Pentagon. President Bush identified Al-Qaida movement of
UBL based in Afghanistan as the main culprit of 9/11 and
started WOT against it. Bush started ‘no-holds-barred
operation’ and gave the Pakistan the straight choice ‘You
are either with us or against us’. In the meanwhile, UNSC
also passed Resolution 1368 calling for mutual efforts for
countering terrorism and not supporting and harboring
terrorist activities. Bush gave a list of demand to
Musharaf which went as:
1. To stop Al-Qaida operation on Pakistani border and
intercept arm shipments and logistic support from
Pakistan.
2. To give landing rights to US planes
3. To give access to air and naval bases and borders
4. To share intelligence and information
5. To curb domestic expression of support for terrorism
against the US
6. To stop Pakistani volunteers from going into
Afghanistan
7. To break diplomatic relations with the Taliban.
Bush demanded cooperation from Pakistan under dire
consequences. Musharaf, after long discussions with top
military officials, decided to join USA accepted all
demands and became front-line ally of US against WOT.
Musharaf said,
“The choice is between saving Pakistan or the Taliban and I
am opting for Pakistan. Pakistan comes first and everything
else comes later”.
5. Foreign Policy of Pakistan post 9/11
After 9/11, Pakistan’s foreign policy towards US, Russia,
China, and Muslim countries remained almost the same as it
was before 9/11. However, Pakistan’s foreign policy was
changed and Pakistan took U-turn with respect to Afghan
Taliban and Kashmir Mujahideen.

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1. Change in Pakistan’s Afghan policy post 9/11
At the inception of Pakistan, Pakistan’s relations with
Afghanistan became tensed because of Durand Line dispute
and claim of Afghanistan on territory of NWFP and
Balochistan. During soviet-afghan war, Pakistan supported
Afghan Mujaheedin. After the war, Pakistan recognized and
supported Taliban government from 1996-2001 and provided it
with economic, political and diplomatic support due to the
following reasons:
1. Pakistan hoped that Taliban will recognize Durand Line
and will also give up their claim on Pakistani
territories of NWFP and Balochistan.
2. Pakistan would be able to get ‘Passage Economy’ through
Afghanistan and will cultivate economic relations with
CARs.
3. Pakistan supported Taliban because India supported
Northern Alliance, the Taliban opposition. By
supporting Taliban, Pakistan countered India’s
interests in Afghanistan.
4. Pakistan hoped to resolved Afghan Refugee issue.
5. Pakistan hoped that support of Taliban will keep its
western border non-alive.
6. Pakistan supported Taliban because Pakistan thought
that India was trying to encircle Pakistan from both
borders: east and west.
Thus, before 9/11, relations with Afghanistan were good
because Taliban were pro-Pakistani.
But after 9/11, the whole scenario was changed and Pakistan
was forced to take a 180o turn and to stop supporting Afghan
Taliban. Musharaf was given the option that ‘you are either
with us or against us’. Musharaf joined US WOT and took U-
turn on Afghan policy and supported this U-turn that it
will bring national security, revival of economy,
safeguarding of national assets, and resolution of Kashmir
issue. UNSC Resolution 1368 calling for collective efforts
to stop terrorism and not supporting and harboring
terrorists can also be cited as a justification for change
in Pakistan’s Afghan policy.
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Defending the new Afghan policy, Musharaf said,
“Pak-Afghan policy has always been on right direction.
Past policy was oriented to supreme national interests
and it has not met with failure rather it had undergone
change in line with the changing circumstances”.
Thus Pakistan’s foreign towards Afghanistan was changed and
Pak was made to compromise its non-interference, non-
alignment, and good relations with the Muslim countries
principles of its foreign policy.
2. Change in Pakistan’s Kashmir policy post 9/11
Before 9/11, relations with India were not good because of
Kashmir issue. Relations with India almost always remained
strained. Kashmir issue led to the wars of 1948, 1965,
1971. War of Runn of Kutch 1965 and Kargil war 1999 were
also fought. In 1971, India was instrumental in division of
Pakistan and creation of Bagladesh. Pakistan always
supported Kashmir cause directly or indirectly at every
forum. In the late 80’s, Kashmiris started freedom movement
against the India which made Kashmir a hot topic of
discussion in the world. Pakistan supported the freedom
movement because it kept the Kashmir issue alive. Pakistan
also tried to internationalize the Kashmir issue and urged
international community to play its role in resolving the
core issue of South Asia.
After 9/11, Indian PM demanded ban on aid and assistance to
the countries supporting terrorism (implied reference to
Pak). He further said real source of terrorism is in our
neighborhood and that India had already warned
international community of the danger of militarization in
Kashmir. Indian PM tried to equalize the Kashmir freedom
movement with terrorism and alleged its sources in
Pakistan.
After 9/11, Pakistan changed its policy towards Kashmir and
gave a clear message that Pakistani soil would not be
allowed to be used for terrorism against any country
anywhere in the world. He further said that a freedom
movement is going on in Kashmir and Pakistan could not be
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held responsible for any action against the Indian tyranny
and repression.
Musharaf also banned many fundamentalist groups like
Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Sipha-e-Sahaba etc. who were supporting
Kashmir Mujahideen.
In 2004, Musharaf also said that Pakistan was willing to
show flexibility on Kashmir issue and to put aside the UN
Resolution provided India shows flexibility too.
6. Impact of change in foreign policy after
9/11
1. Benefits of change in foreign policy
1. US lifted sanctions against Pakistan.
2. US rescheduled and waived-off Pakistan debt to provide
economic ease to Pakistan.
3. US also supported IMF, World Bank and Asian Bank
programs for Pakistan.
4. US also ease restrictions on textile items from
Pakistan.
5. US friendly countries Japan, Britain and EU’s also
provided economic assistance to Pakistan.
6. US gave non-NATO ally status to Pakistan for extending
diplomatic support, economic and technological
assistance, and sympathetic consideration of the
request for weapon supply.
“Pakistan is our strongest ally in our fight against
terrorism and we want to build up and strengthen its
institutions”.
Collen Powell (US Foreign Secretary
of State)
2. Costs of change in foreign policy
1. Civil unrest was created as Islamist outfits took to
streets against the policy.
2. Every day strikes led to closure of shops and business
and cancellation of international orders.
3. It led to formation of anti-Pakistan government in
Afghanistan which has exposed the western border to
aggression any time.

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 4. National security is still threatened by India. Economy
suffered a lot. Our strategic assets were threatened by
the US, India and Israel. Kashmir issue has lost in the
haze. WOT has created over the region.
5. Pakistan has suffered civil and military human loss of
over 50,000 people
6. Pakistan launched military operation in Swat and FATA
to prevent Talibanization in Pakistan
7. Bomb blasts caused loss of infrastructure.
8. Influx of Afghan refugees is also burden on economy of
Pakistan.
7. Hurdles in the way of achieving foreign
policy
1. Pakistan’s geostrategic location makes it important in
regional and world politics. Thus, Pakistan’s foreign
policy is affected by regional and international
politics.
2. Weak domestic institutions, institutional clash, and
lack of infrastructure also make Pakistan dependent
upon outsiders who then affect foreign policy of
Pakistan.
3. Foreign debt and aid is also a hurdle in the way of
independent foreign policy.
4. Pro-US mindset of policy makers is also a hurdle.
5. Pakistan’s hostile relation with India is also a
hurdle.
6. Pakistan’s role in WOT as front-line ally also affects
its foreign policy considerations.
7. Political, economic and social backwardness of Pakistan
also hinders achievement of foreign policy.
8. Nuclear proliferation issue also negatively affects
achievement of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
8. Measure that can help in achieving
foreign policy
1. Pakistan’s foreign policy should be based on Non-
interference and non-alignment, Cordial relations with

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 neighboring and Muslim countries and Resolution of
Kashmir Issue.
2. Pakistan should solve its political, economic and
social problems.
3. Pakistan should get rid of foreign debt and aid and
should adopt the policy of self reliance.
4. Pakistan should exploit its natural resources.
5. Pakistan should focus on science, technology, commerce,
business and technical education.
6. Pakistan should make its China ties the strongest.
9. Conclusion
Change in foreign policy of Pakistan towards Taliban and
Kashmir issue has caused more loss than profit to Pakistan.
There are many hurdles being faced by Pakistan in the way
of achieving independent foreign policy. Pakistan should
take effective steps at least to get rid of its domestic
problems so that it may not have to depend upon others
which will enable it to chalk out its independent foreign
policy by taking into consideration the regional and
international dynamics which are uncontrollable and must be
considered before chalking out foreign policy.

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