By Zara Mansoor
The recent horrible incident of killing a Sri Lankan national in a city located in Punjab, Pakistan over alleged blasphemy is what led the country to suffer international backlash, socio-political instability and diplomatic downfall.
No matter what, foreigners residing in the state are always the responsibility of that government but the question is, does a single debacle of political institutions or a small number of mob reacting fanatically define the whole state and its legislative policies? If so, why our immediate neighbors and the other Western and European states have never been defined by their belligerent designs towards human rights? It is to emphasize that Pakistan is the state facing permanent opposition in the international system and the reasons exist are its negative image portrayed by its foremost rival and its alleged involvement in supporting terrorist organizations which have never been verified.
While, series of racial discriminatory events along with violated human rights are new normal in the contemporary international arena but either neglected or justified if done by powerful developed countries. Although the current incident is not justifiable, cannot be defended as it costed one precious life of non-national in the hosted country but hostile counter attack, blame game, labeling any state as the hub of international terrorism and not worthy of carrying nuclear status comes under politicizing the already sensitive issue. Additionally, speech acts as the significant element of security studies and has a major role to play under the existing umbrella. Through this act, anything can be securitized, de-securitized, politicized or depoliticized and the state of Pakistan has been politicized and securitized in an international world order which cannot be undone for long. The country’s standing has become more difficult and diplomatic, political and social degradation has very much contributed to distortion of its image in front of an international community. Also, it will impact tourism to investment, delineated narrow-mindedness of the natives and exposed the real absence of law and order.
Extremism is never reasonable to be justified but generalizing the state on the basis of a few wrong moves always carries some political interest behind. Moreover, demeaning the state of Pakistan has never gone unmissed by its chief opponent, also India’s anti-Pakistan obsession and cultivation of more connections to use in propaganda campaign are doing just more than right as internal affairs of Pakistan seems uncontrolled and paving way to regional and extra-regional players to question its worth of carrying nuclear privilege. Additionally, dictation of foreign policy by some of the pressure groups are uncontrollably dominant, creating hurdles for the already destabilized state. The rule of law has been replaced by morals and ethics which is another signal defining Pakistan at international level. The house appears to be disordered but, in every disorder always lies a secret order and this will be explored sooner or a little later.
Further, most of the diplomatic events of Pakistan have remained huge success in the recent past, its support to the US in the aftermath of 9/11, Afghan peace process, projects with China, meditation in Saudi-Iran rift, defense cooperation and soft power space in relation to Turkey, security training agreement with Russia to enhance more ties, soft power strategies with regard to India to avoid its aggression and provocations are all its diplomatic and political efforts to create its own space in the global arena but, it simply could not remove the deepest marks as they were made more deeper with time as enhanced Indian collaboration with the developed world gained success and attention.
Pakistan’s diplomatic struggles towards India and respecting minorities rights in the country depict the soft side of the state but always overlooked.
On the other hand, many shifts occurred in the policies of the first world countries but India always remained constant and significant strategic as well as the most trusted ally slowly working on its agenda of cutting Pakistan out of international politics and policies and that’s what linked to the international hype further shaped after Sialkot’s incident.
Deadly horrors prevalent are not legitimate and so are the claimed generalizations. Thus, firm stand regarding Pakistan’s nuclear weapons which could be taken by terrorist organizations is something constructed, generalized, over criticized and securitized. In addition, few people characterized by an extreme, reacting with intense uncritical devotion do not define Pakistan as a state as it contains much broader positive aspects within itself and contributions although continually defied by international powers.
Author: Zara Mansoor (Political Analyst, Islamabad, Pakistan)
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views o fWorld Geostrategic Insights)
Image Credit: AFP