ROLE OF ISLAM IN THE FOREIGN POLICY OF PAKISTAN – FROM PAST TO PRESENT

Abstract

This research study focuses on understanding the role of Islam in the foreign policy of Pakistan. Pakistan’s statecraft has been influenced by Islam. Hence, the influence of Islam was also felt within Pakistan’s foreign policy. In order to understand Islam’s role in Pakistan’s foreign policy three interviews were conducted with experts on the subject. Afterward, a thematic analysis was conducted from the interviews. Firstly, this study explores the influence of Islam on Pakistan’s foreign policy. It is argued that Pakistan’s initial economic needs compelled Pakistan to use Islam in its foreign policy. It is also argued that despite the existential threat from its arch-rival India, Pakistan was not kept away from having a pragmatic foreign policy by Islam’s role in its foreign policy. Secondly, theocratic perception’s impact on Pakistan’s foreign policy is also analyzed. It is analyzed how theocratic perception within Pakistan led Pakistan to face the curse of extremism. Military-Mullah nexus and the use of non-state actors as a foreign policy tool are also discussed. Thirdly, Pakistan’s relations with Islamic countries, mainly Saudi Arabia and Iran are also explored within this research. It is argued that Pakistan has warily tried to maintain balance in its relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. Moreover, Pakistan’s joining of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) and its role in the Yemen conflict are also discussed. It is concluded that Pakistan remained under the influence of hybrid theocracy which consequently influenced its foreign policy. However, quite contrary to common belief, Pakistan has successfully maintained a pragmatic foreign policy.