Talk at the House of Commons – Foreign Affairs Policy(15 November 2010)
"Honourable Chairman of the Council Sir Ronald and Distinguished Members of the Conservative Party
Thank you, Sir Ronald for giving me this opportunity to speak to the Conservative members of Parliament as a major coalition partner in the Government. Congratulations on the well-deserved electoral victory.
I am confident that your youthful government supported by the experienced old guards will succeed in its endeavours to meet the challenges that lay ahead.
Pakistan has been in the eye of the storm since over three decades. You are aware of it. However, it is my responsibility as High Commissioner representing the country in most difficult times to highlight the important attributes and aspects, especially since some negative elements have come to cast a shadow with perceptions that are neither here nor there.
Pakistan is a vibrant country, its people are resilient, hardworking and peace loving and the country offers a market of 175 million consumers, with a work force of 45 million and a youth population of 100 million in the age group of 15-25 years.
Geographically, it has an area of eight hundred thousand square kilometres, equal to the combined area of France and Germany, with over 1100 kilometres long coastline along Arabian Sea, ready to generate as much of wind energy as much Pakistan’s industrial port city Karachi, world’s 7th largest metropolis and 2nd largest city in the Islamic World, may need.
Pakistan hosts 5 of the world’s 14 highest mountain peaks with world’s largest mass of majestic glaciers. For daring mountaineers, we have over 300 peaks to discover.
Strategically, Pakistan is situated at the confluence of South Asia, Central Asia and Middle East. It can serve as a natural economic and energy corridor for the three important regions that I just mentioned. The windfall would not be just for Pakistan but for all those countries who may wish to make use of it.
In terms of natural resources Pakistan’s Thar Coal Mines alone have 175 billion tonnes of coal reserves, that is worth more than twice the total value of Saudi Arabian oil reserves. In addition, gold reserves estimated at 260 billion dollars, besides copper, gems, and lots of other hidden treasures are there for exploitation.
While others remain shy to venture into Pakistan’s natural resource sector due to the security threat perception, thanks to the often biased media, Australia, China, Canada and Chile have reaped the benefits for years and they continue to do so. There remains far more for exploitation by other foreign investors.
Pakistan’s investment policy is one of the most liberal policies. More than 100 British Companies are among hundreds of other foreign investors, doing businesses for decades, would testify this assertion. Egypt started with its venture called Mobilink with only US$ 100 million in early 2000 and today it is worth over US$ 3billion.
Technologically, Pakistan has done well. Today, we are a nuclear power. In the defence sector, the country has achieved sophisticated weapons technology, indigenously manufactures Agosta submarines, co-produces latest fighter jet JF-17 Thunder and a whole range of exportable defence equipment.
We have developed a state-of-the-art country-wide computerized National Database to cater to needs of e-Government, digital-National IDs, e-payments, digital passports and similar programs for other countries have been developed, which hired our services.
We have a pool of highly talented and qualified IT professionals in abundance providing software products to the world including the UK.
Historically, Pakistan has been a cradle of world’s oldest civilizations such as Indus valley and Gandhara, making it an attraction for the historians, the scholars, tourists and lovers of archaeology.
Despite all the treasures and strengths, Pakistan is yet to make its impact on the world stage. The main impediments include intermittent disruptions in the democratic process, which denied continuity in the long term domestic and foreign policy priorities and consequently weakened the State Institutions.
Since the inception, the legacy of territorial dispute of Kashmir as the main bone of contention, Sir Creek, Siachen and a host of other issues with the Eastern Neighbour of Pakistan have been major consideration of our foreign policy determinants.
Water issue has emerged as yet another dispute between Pakistan and India. If India and the world remains oblivious of Pakistan’s concern and gravity of the issue it can assume dangerous proportions.
And for the last thirty years it is the unstable and war-torn neighbouring Afghanistan, with which we have 2600 kilometres long rugged and porous border, and the evolving situation there that has played a pivotal role in driving Pakistan’s foreign policy in the regional context.
Since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the American focus in the region, Pakistan has faced numerous daunting challenges with enormous economic, social and political pressures. Pakistan has since 1979 and till to-date hosted more than three million Afghan Refugees while remaining under economic sanctions from the West.
The so-called Islamic extremists, who were once brought in by the US and referred to as Jihadists then, to be pitched against the Soviets, are a legacy of the events from 1979 to 1989, the fallout of which is being faced by Pakistan to this day. Regrettably, those who then helped these extremists not only left Pakistan in the cold but also squarely blamed their creation on us. (US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was bold enough to confess that Pakistan is reaping the bitter harvest of seeds sowed by the US).
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and 9/11 tragedy have been a watershed in Pakistan’s socio-economic, internal and external political spheres. On both the occasions there were non-elected representative military rulers at the helm who decided the fate of the entire nation without consultation and national consensus.
Regrettably, the Western proponents of Democracy turned a blind eye to the dictatorial regimes in Pakistan as it suited their strategic interests. The two dictators were rather glorified by the West.
Pakistan’s political life has a chequered history in which democratically elected civilian governments have been removed un-democratically as the entire world watched.
Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Ideally, Pakistan’s foreign policy envisaged harmony and a win-win partnership in its relations with its neighbours, with economically and technologically developed West, with the OIC countries based on religious, linguistic and cultural affinities, with the second tier neighbours Southeast Asian States as enshrined in its ‘Look East Policy’ and nurturing of politically important African countries.
Pakistan’s Regional Policy : Pakistan’s relations with the world’s second largest economy China, a Member of the UNSC, are unparalleled on bilateral plane. Over the years these have grown in strategic importance. In the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) these have become more significant.
With Russia-- another major economic and military power-- we both have put the past behind us and the relations are progressing well independently recognizing each other’s importance as well as SCO offers a multilateral forum to converge interests for mutual benefit.
The South Asian region hosts more than one-fifth of the world’s population with the largest concentration of people who live below the poverty line. Pakistan sees European Union as a role model in terms of regional integration and, therefore, aspires to promote cooperation among the countries in the South Asian region under the umbrella of SAARC.
Pakistan believes in regional harmony and economic progress aimed at benefitting its people. This could only be possible if the regional disputes and other contentious issues are amicably settled. Unfortunately, SAARC’s progress has been impeded by the tensions among its members though it possesses huge potential.
While Pakistan attaches high importance to the regional cooperation under Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which has admitted Afghanistan as its member recently, it may be of importance to the UK to know Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan bilaterally.
With Afghanistan we share abiding bonds of history, culture, geography, traditions and faith. Pakistan and Afghanistan are uniquely placed neighbours. They need each other the way no other neighbour of Afghanistan does. Afghani people have suffered for decades from foreign invasions and internal strife. Pakistan, as an immediate neighbour, has suffered the worst fallout. Therefore, no other country could have greater stake in the stability and peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan. (Lord Patten’s quote)
Ever since the democratic government took office in Pakistan relations with Afghanistan have registered a significant progress and both have displayed mutual respect. Our rapidly expanding bilateral ties with Afghanistan have renewed the spirit of trust and confidence.
Pakistan extended its full support to President Hamid Karzai’s roadmap, endorsed by the international community at London Conference.
Pakistan’s perspective on the situation in Afghanistan is that the regional countries must adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of each other as well as respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They must also commit not to allow their territories to be used for activities detrimental to each other’s interests. A number of regional processes and initiatives (trilateral, quadrilateral etc.) are already in place contributing to the peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan emphasizes that there is no need for a new formal or informal structure for the region.
Regional countries’ role cannot substitute the role and responsibilities of the international community in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s policy makers are aware that we need to get ready to embrace the fallout once the Allied Forces start withdrawal in a couple of years as it appears imminent.
Kashmir Dispute: Pakistan extends diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiris struggle for their right of self-determination. Successive governments in Pakistan have offered several options to resolve the issue but India has remained intransigent. The world, especially the West has side-stepped to let India and Pakistan settle the dispute bilaterally.
World has witnessed for over two decades a variety of parleys not only between the two governments but also track II, III and IV diplomatic efforts and series of confidence building measures. No bilateral approach had been conclusive so far.
For years both sides remained engaged in conflict management but could never reach the stage of conflict resolution. Fragility of bilateral approach is evident from the fact that the dialogue was called-off by India many times over on one pretext or the other.
Pakistan’s Policy Position on UN Reforms
Pakistan is the top contributor of military and civil police personnel to the UN Peace Keeping Mission around the globe, which is a manifestation of my country’s commitment to the international peace and security and the supremacy of the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.
From our perspective, reform and expansion of the Security Council is the most critical issue on the agenda of the UN General Assembly.
Pakistan favours reforms in the UN Security Council and our approach in this regard envisages a “comprehensive, democratic and representative expansion in the Security Council” on the basis of regional representation.
Pakistan and Italy have been working closely in the Uniting for Consensus Group (UFC) to promote a solution regarding Security Council reform through negotiations by consensus or the broadest possible agreement.
There is a broad consensus among Member States that the Security Council should be expanded. Uniting for Consensus (UfC) has proposed an expansion to 25 members through the addition of 10 non-permanent seats.
The UFC model (2005) calls for an increase of 10 new elected seats (3 Africa, 3 Asia, 2 LAC, 1 Eastern Europe, 1 WEOG). Under our proposal, all states, including small and medium states, which constitute the vast majority of UN membership, can enjoy a significantly improved access to the Council.
According to the proposed UFC model the total 20 non-permanent seats in the enlarged UNSC would be distributed to regional groups according the following pattern: six for African States, five for Asian States, four for Latin American and the Caribbean States, three for Western European and other States and two for Eastern European States.
Pakistan’s Policy on Disarmament Issues
Pakistan is a Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological Weapons Convention and supports a world free of chemical and biological weapons. We have adopted robust control measures through legislative acts [Export Control Act 2004, Notification of Control Lists 2005, Strategic Export Control Division, National Command Authority].
However, latest developments have been a major concern to Pakistan and are detrimental to our national security. Pakistan is against any discriminatory treatment in the context of Fissile Material cut-off agreement. Recent special waiver by the NSG to India enabling Western establishment of nuclear cooperation with her, recent statement of President Obama to give membership of NSG, MTCR and other Forum reflect discrimination and double standards.
We are surprised that even the nuclear bombs’ worst victim Japan is entering into nuclear cooperation with India. It is a matter of disappointment that the UK has also joined the race to sign agreement on nuclear cooperation with India though she has not signed NPT.
Pakistan’s Relations with the United Kingdom
Finally a few words on Pakistan-UK relations. We enjoy the best of relations with the UK dating back to pre-independence period. Excellent understanding at the highest political level between the successive governments in the two countries is reinforced by the presence of over one million strong Pakistani Diaspora, which significantly contributes to the British economy, society and politics. There are 7 Members of the House of Commons having Pakistani heritage, including two belonging to the Conservative Party and three Members of the House of Lords, with one holding a high position in your Party.
UK is Pakistan’s second largest trade partner and largest investor in the EU. Pakistan is also the UK’s largest recipient of the development assistance. Our bilateral diverse relationship for decades has witnessed a sea-change after 9/11. Situation in Afghanistan and terrorism now dominate agenda of every visit.
Pakistan is looking forward to establishing a Summit Level Strategic Partnership with the UK, which would be long-term, sustainable and mutually beneficial. It should diverse encompassing cooperation and collaboration in the fields of industry, education, science & technology, sports goods, defence forces and defence production, biotechnology, security and civilian nuclear technology.
Given its strategic importance in the region, its position and influence in Islamic world, its nuclear capability and as consumer market of 175 million Pakistan would like to maintain relationship on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s domestic matters and recognition in its own right rather as matter of compulsion of strategic interest linked to the other countries in the region of its location.
Thank You.