Maturing foreign policy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recently concluded tour of Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan – accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir – is an encouraging signal that Pakistan is once again taking regional diplomacy seriously. The high-level presence on this trip, including the premier and army chief, shows an actual coordinated and aggressive push to project Pakistan as a responsible, engaged and forward-looking player in the region. From attending the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit in Lachin to strengthening bilateral ties in Central Asia and the Gulf, this multi-country outreach is a welcome pivot towards regional economic integration and strategic collaboration. It also suggests that Pakistan, having weathered internal political instability and regional tensions, is now attempting to position itself as a bridge-builder rather than a battleground.

There have been signs of renewed diplomatic energy for some time now. Following the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent escalation with India, Pakistan exercised notable restraint. While India pursued a dangerous path of provocation, including attacks on civilian areas, Pakistan limited its response to military targets and emphasised its preference for peace. The government’s offer for an impartial international investigation into the attack and its willingness to engage in backchannel diplomacy through the US were a lesson in how to manage a crisis maturely. India, still trapped in election-time jingoism, may refuse to acknowledge the facts, but internationally, it is clear who acted with more responsibility. Pakistan’s participation in the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong – a Chinese-led initiative to create a multilateral mediation body – is another sign that Islamabad is diversifying its diplomatic footprint. With the West increasingly fractured and global governance institutions under stress, the emergence of alternative platforms, especially those involving China and other non-Western powers, provides new opportunities for countries like Pakistan.

The upgrade of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Afghanistan is also a significant development. Relations between the two neighbours have been marked by mistrust, especially on border security and counterterrorism. Elevating diplomatic engagement signals Islamabad’s recognition that long-term stability and peace depend on dialogue, not disengagement. If managed prudently, this could pave the way for meaningful cooperation in trade, energy and counterterrorism. Foreign policy analysts have rightly noted that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic conduct reflects a shift toward seeking regional harmony and integration. Whether it’s mending fences with Iran, realigning with traditional allies in the Middle East or engaging with rising regional blocs, there is a visible coherence in Islamabad’s foreign policy direction. However, this regional momentum must not blind us to the urgent need for internal cohesion. Diplomacy is most effective when backed by political stability, economic resilience and institutional unity at home. We also need domestic reforms, political dialogue and an end to polarisation. Without addressing the fractures within, even the most impressive regional diplomacy will lack staying power. Pakistan has shown in recent weeks that it can be both principled and pragmatic in its approach to international relations. Now is the time to consolidate that image by ensuring that internal policy reflects the same level of seriousness and long-term thinking.