“Pakistan is caught in the vortex of rapidly-changing international politics characterized by U.S.-China confrontation.” This was said by Ambassador (R) Zamir Akram in an exclusive talk hosted by SouthAsia Forum in Karachi in February. Addressing an engaged audience, Ambassador Akram, also the chief guest of the occasion, spoke on “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy in the Evolving International Environment,” emphasizing the need for a realistic foreign policy that aligns with geostrategic realities.
Ambassador Akram said that Pakistan has not been able to bring structural reforms in key areas due to the rampant elite capture plaguing the country since its inception. In his speech, Ambassador Akram urged Pakistan’s leadership to reassess and recalibrate its foreign policy approach in response to shifting global dynamics. He particularly highlighted the impact of the new U.S. administration and the evolving political landscape in the Middle East, stressing the importance of strategic adaptability in navigating these changes. He said that Pakistan should focus on relations with the rest of the South Asian nations with far more advantageous opportunities rather than expending its efforts on resuming talks with India.
Ambassador Zamir Akram said that India has been given a free pass to build up its strategic capabilities while restraint is only being sought from Pakistan. “The American objective is to protect India’s strategic interests against China, and to achieve this objective, it wants New Delhi to focus on China and not be distracted by competition from Pakistan,” Ambassador Akram added.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Syed Jawaid Iqbal, Chairman of the SouthAsia Forum, who underscored the significance of the discussion and its relevance to Pakistan’s diplomatic future. He added that the SouthAsia Forum was committed to facilitating meaningful regional and global affairs dialogues, fostering informed discussions that contribute to policy thinking and strategic decision-making.
The talk attracted a diverse audience. Among the distinguished attendees were General (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, Senator (Retd.) Javed Jabbad, Prof. Dr Huma Baqai, Majyd Aziz, Saad Amanullah, Zafar Khan, Ahmed Jamal Mir, and many others.
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