New Delhi: Pakistan has lost every friend it once had, said senior Pakistani politician and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The comment is an unusual admission by Pakistan’s own political leadership of its growing diplomatic isolation. It also reflects the flaws in foreign and security policies of Pakistan.
Rehman said that Pakistan was facing isolation due to poor decision-making, contradictions within its policies and excessive military intervention.
His statement points to the fact that Pakistan’s long-standing strategic policies have led to its regional and diplomatic isolation, even as internal economic and security pressures continue to rise.
Rehman made these remarks during a public event. He raised questions about Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan over the years.
What he said about Afghanistan
In all these years, we never stopped to ask why our Afghan strategy fell flat, the leader reportedly said, pointing out that the trade with Afghanistan has almost collapsed despite militancy persisting without any check. “Not a single pomegranate or melon can enter Pakistan, even as terrorists keep crossing the border,” Rehman said.
The JUI-F chief also alleged that Pakistan’s military leadership was confused while making policies and it was impacting diplomacy. “One general talks about negotiations and peace, while another is hellbent on war. In such a confused situation, how can we run a coherent foreign policy,” he reportedly questioned.
What he said about China
Speaking about China ties, Rehman hit out at handling of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor by Shehbaz Sharif government. CPEC, once dubbed as a transformative economic corridor, has stalled amid heightened security concerns and dwindling Chinese confidence. “CPEC has seen no real progress during this tenure because China no longer trusts us,” he underlined.
The JUI-F president asked if the current administration had performed any better than the Imran Khan regime. “Today I ask has even a single brick moved forward under this government,” he questioned.
Rehman said China hoped Pakistan Democratic Movement government would stabilise relations and restore the momentum. “But today China is displeased with Pakistan,” he pointed out.
Rehman added: “India is our enemy, Afghanistan is our enemy, and even Iran and China are upset with us.” He reportedly said: “The people of Pakistan deserve answers, because a nation cannot survive when its policies produce only isolation, mistrust and insecurity.”