Muhammad Sheharyar Khan
Muhammad Sheharyar Khan is a Gold Award-winning International Relations graduate, actively contributes to policy discourse and academic research. He has worked with national institutions including Pakistan’s National Assembly and authored the poetic book Khayaal Nagri.
At a time of world alignment to blocs, Pakistan finds itself precariously on the periphery. This is not because Pakistan lacks potential or regional or global relevance, but because it lacks a coherent, visionary diplomatic policy that can bridge the gap between national interest and international possibility. As the world becomes more integrated and global issues more directly affect domestic realities, Pakistan needs to play an increasingly vital role in global governance. Attending forums is no longer enough – Pakistan needs to rebrand its diplomatic identity to become an effective policy shaper at the regional and global levels.
The Shifting Landscape of Global Governance
Traditional powerhouses are no longer the only holders of global governance. Mid-sized and even small countries like Singapore, Norway, and the Netherlands shape policy on climate, trade standards, digital rights, and conflict management. These nations have achieved this not by force of arms but by clever diplomacy: using soft power, strengthening knowledge industries, and playing an active role in multilateral forums.
With a population of more than 240 million and a position at the nexus of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, Pakistan should be an integral player within this environment. But it is more often than not left diplomatically alone, its voice unheard in the important discussions. This marginalization can only be reversed by rethinking Pakistan’s international approach—not with slogans, but with strategy.
Why Pakistan Is Not Where It Should Be
A variety of reasons are responsible for Pakistan’s dismal representation in global governance. Firstly, reliance solely on bilateral relationships, particularly those with countries like China, the US, and Saudi Arabia, and neglect for the larger multilateral environment. Secondly, weak and inconsistent foreign policy, sudden changes at the top, and domestic political turbulence made Pakistan an unstable ally in the eyes of the international community. Thirdly, a security-centred approach, military-led diplomacy, and sidelining of economic, tech, and humanitarians issues.
While Pakistan has been involved in global peacekeeping operations and contributed to the UN, these are usually reactive and not proactive. Its variable participation within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), very limited contribution to African diplomacy, and voice seldom used at the World Trade Organization (WTO) are all symptoms of a larger trend of opportunities missed.
Lessons from Smaller, Smarter Players
States such as Ireland and Finland are both great case studies. Though they are small, they have earned significant roles for themselves within international governance, prioritizing neutrality, innovation, and multilateralism. For example, Finland is renowned for its mediation and peacemaking capacities across the world. Ireland, which remained strategically neutral, emerged as a leading voice within EU human rights policy and internet regulation. Their diplomats are trained, specialist-driven, and motivated to look outward beyond their borders.
Pakistan needs to adopt the same values: not by blind emulation, but by balancing such measures against local imperatives. For instance, it can lead on areas such as climate resilience, refugee rights, and debt relief—where it both needs to act and can.
What Smart Diplomacy Looks Like for Pakistan
Smart diplomacy, serving as a governing philosophy, is concerned with the development of diplomatic relations anchored in pragmatism, inclusivity, and foresight. For Pakistan, a country that lies at the nexus of both strategic potential and historical complexity, smart diplomacy needs to be based on a judicious synthesis of economic, geopolitical, and multilateral interests.
First and foremost, active participation in multilateral forums is not a choice but a necessity. Pakistan needs to prioritize representation, but more importantly, influence on forums such as the United Nations, the WTO, the WHO, and UNESCO. There needs to be a merit-based restructuring of diplomatic postings—appointing technocrats, economists, jurists, and international law specialists who can help promote Pakistan’s interests while contributing meaningfully to global debate. Passive diplomatic missions need to be replaced by data-driven, agenda-driven missions that have specific goals in trade, health, education, and world security.
Secondly, reviving regional collaboration needs to overcome the confines of the past. Politically stagnated though it may be, SAARC still provides a regional integrating mechanism that Pakistan needs to promote with renewed zeal. Apart from SAARC, Central Asia is an unexploited potential. Pakistan’s access through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can be transformed from a bilateral megaproject to a genuinely regional conduit for energy, logistics, and trade. Clever diplomacy would call for Pakistan to bring the concerns of Afghanistan, Iran, and the Central Asia republics within the ambit of CPEC and to create an inclusive framework that signals Pakistan’s intention to function more as a regional enabler than a mere beneficiary.
On the economic diplomacy side, Pakistan missions abroad need to become economic outposts. Trade attachés need to go beyond promoting exports and seek out sustainable patterns of investment like green finance, digital trade, and infrastructure innovation. Engagement in cutting-edge global economic debates—like carbon credit markets, blue economy strategies, and South-South partnerships frameworks—can position Pakistan as a policy entrepreneur for developing economies. Pakistan needs to engage actively at the international debt reform negotiations, putting forth more equitable models for countries experiencing balance-of-payment crises, on the basis of its own and other economies from the Global South.
Smart diplomacy, thus, is not reactive tactics, but an organized strategy whereby all policy choices are made taking long-term consequences and international ripple effects into account. For Pakistan, the future is not about mending its image, but about reimagining its identity since it is now a sovereign state that can lead, enable, and innovate globally.
Internal Reforms to Support External Influence
A sound foreign policy needs an internal foundation to operate. To have effective influence on international affairs, Pakistan needs to tackle its internal challenges by launching across-the-board reforms that can enhance its credibility globally.
One such area is enhancing democratic institutions. A smoothly running democratic system with continuity is crucial for Pakistan to gain the status of a dependable and coherent global ally. Political stability ensures that the policy abroad is not disrupted due to a series of government changes, and that Pakistan would be able to commit itself to diplomatic relations for the long term. Enhancing the rule of law, transparency within decision-making, and political accountability will give the status of country an uplift.
In addition, strengthening the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with proper resources, capacity, and independence is vital. Instead of being used for temporary politicking interests, the Ministry must be enabled to formulate and execute an enduring foreign policy that serves the interests of the country and not short-term gains.
Lastly, involving civil society and academia in diplomatic discussions is important to bring new ideas and innovative strategies to the table. By maintaining an interlinked relationship between leaders of thought, scholars, and think tanks, Pakistan can develop a more inclusive and vibrant diplomatic strategy that encompasses diverse viewpoints and better responds to global issues.
A Youthful Nation with Untapped Soft Power
The youth bulge of Pakistan—more than 60% of the country being below 30 years old—is a challenge and an opportunity. By empowering its youth through education, tech startups, cultural diplomacy, and international educational partnerships, Pakistan can develop the kind of soft power that countries like Turkey and South Korea have used for global influence.
Actions like increased support for Pakistani student representation at international forums, more study abroad scholarships, and empowering youth-based NGOs to represent Pakistan at multilateral conferences will not only enhance its image but also create a globally conscious future generation of diplomats.
Conclusion
Pakistan is at a crucial junction in its journey of foreign policy. The position of the country geographically, within an ever-changing world environment, holds vast potential, but its foreign policy needs to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. The essence of this adaptation lies within an approach to smart diplomacy that is flexible, initiative-taking, and grounded within a holistic perspective of world developments.
By investing in multilateral forums, advocating regional collaboration, and developing economic diplomacy, Pakistan can enhance its global stature, becoming an important contributor to meeting shared challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and economic imbalance. All these efforts from outside need to be supplemented by effective internal reforms. Democratic institution-building, the institution of a dedicated foreign policy think tank, and strengthening the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be the cornerstone of effective, sustainable diplomacy. Furthermore, involving civil society and the academy will make Pakistan’s foreign policy innovative and inclusive, leading to a more active global engagement.
Finally, for Pakistan to overcome its existing isolation and emerge as a respected player in international affairs, it must harmonize its internal reforms and external aspirations. The future is not only about what Pakistan achieves abroad, but also how it builds its internal government, democracy, and intellectual foundations to sustain its diplomatic efforts. Only by these means can Pakistan entrench itself as an influential player in the emerging international order.
References
- Pakistan’s Evolving Role in Global Power Dynamics, Pakistan Lawyer, Jan 2025. https://articles.pakistanlawyer.com/2025/01/31/pakistans-evolving-role-in-global-power-dynamics/
- Revitalising Economic Diplomacy: A Blueprint For Pakistan’s Sustainable Growth, The Friday Times, Jan 2025. https://thefridaytimes.com/15-Jan-2025/revitalising-economic-diplomacy-a-blueprint-for-pakistan-s-sustainable-growth
- Pakistan’s Role in Shaping Global Diplomacy, Pakistan Lawyer, March 2025. https://articles.pakistanlawyer.com/2025/03/18/pakistans-role-in-shaping-global-diplomacy-a-vision-for-the-future/
- Pakistan Braces for Bumpy Diplomatic Path in 2025, Anadolu Agency, Dec 2024. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-braces-for-bumpy-diplomatic-path-in-2025/3438584