Impacts of Domestic Factors on the Foreign Policy of Pakistan (2008-2018)

Abstract

Since its foundation, Pakistan's foreign policy has gone through many stages. Political leadership, location, economic strength, philosophical viewpoints, history, ideology, and cultural values all had a big impact on Pakistan's decision-making process when it came to its foreign policy. Due to financial and military support from other nations, Pakistan's foreign policy was reliant on them. Priorities for foreign policy are determined at every stage in accordance with the national interests of major nations. Pakistan's foreign policy was impacted by internal considerations. Due to political and economic instability, Pakistan faced a number of threats from its close neighbours and foreign powers between 2008 and 2018. In addition to domestic considerations, effective foreign policy was also hampered by political clashes among political leaders. Relationships with a rival state (India) and the sole superpower of the world (USA) were hampered by the military establishment and civilian administrations' lack of collaboration.