International Relations from a Pakistani Perspective

By Dr Naim Tahir Baig

BOOK DESCRIPTION

"International Relations from a Pakistani Perspective: A Comprehensive Masters-Level Textbook" by Dr. Naim Tahir Baig represents a groundbreaking contribution to the field of international relations scholarship. This comprehensive textbook fills a critical gap in academic literature by presenting international relations theory and practice through the unique lens of Pakistani experience and Islamic civilization.

Designed specifically for Masters-level students and advanced undergraduate courses, this textbook offers a thorough examination of how Pakistan's strategic position at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East influences global political dynamics. The book combines rigorous theoretical analysis with practical case studies, providing students with both conceptual frameworks and real-world applications of international relations principles.

The textbook addresses Pakistan's complex relationships with major global powers including the United States, China, Russia, and European nations, while also exploring regional dynamics within South Asia and the broader Islamic world. Dr. Baig expertly weaves together traditional international relations theories with indigenous perspectives, creating a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of global politics that transcends Western-centric approaches.

Key features of this textbook include detailed analysis of Pakistan's nuclear diplomacy, its role in regional security architectures, economic partnerships through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and its contributions to international peacekeeping. The book also examines Pakistan's foreign policy evolution from its founding in 1947 to contemporary challenges, including terrorism, regional conflicts, and climate change diplomacy.

Each chapter incorporates pedagogical tools such as learning objectives, discussion questions, case study analyses, and suggested further readings, making it an ideal resource for both classroom instruction and independent study. The author's deep expertise in Pakistani foreign policy and international relations theory ensures that complex concepts are presented in an accessible yet academically rigorous manner.

This textbook is essential reading for students, scholars, and practitioners seeking to understand international relations from a non-Western perspective, particularly those interested in South Asian politics, Islamic civilization's role in global affairs, and the foreign policy dynamics of developing nations in the contemporary international system.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr Naim Tahir Baig
• Release date: May 25, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231594832

Dr Naim Tahir Baig

Dr. Naim Tahir Baig can be described as a Political Analyst, Geopolitical Strategist, Military and Security Studies Expert, Intelligence and Espionage Scholar, Social Commentator, Philosopher of Contemporary Issues, Digital Economy Specialist, Islamic Scholar and Interfaith Commentator, Poet and Literary Author, Regional Studies Expert, Multidisciplinary Intellectual, and Pakistan-Centric Analyst, reflecting his diverse expertise across politics, geopolitics, military strategy, intelligence, social commentary, business, religion, literature, and regional studies. Published Books of Dr. Naim Tahir Baig   Learn AI Fast: A Practical Guide for Busy Professionals Nuclear Orbits: From Soviet Satellites to Russian Space Power Trump vs. Putin: The Secrets Of Alaska Summit 2025 Nuclear Weapons in Space Trump's Siege on the Fed: Politics, Power, and the Fracturing of Global Finance The Great Realignment The Last Rock's Secret War: Okinotorishima The New American Empire In 2025 Fractured Faith: The Ken Paxton Divorce Scandal and the Crisis of Conservative Authenticity The Boomer Blockade: How an Aging Generation is Reshaping Global Power and Economics at Younger Generations' Expense Kiss Cam Crisis GAZA: The word 'ETHICS' is at stake Tarifaço: Trump's Tariff Assault on Brazil and the Battle for Hemispheric Power Love Seized Why Pakistan Can't Be Ignored ? Abandoning UNESCO, Abandoning America's Global Leadership Knowledge at the Cost of Drinking Water Artificial Intelligence Reshapes Nations' Strategic Cultures America Party Geopolitical Realignments And U.S. Decline Echoes of Love After Life After The Break-up Mental Health and Digital Wellness: Navigating the Hyper-Connected World Shadow War 2025: Israel's Secret Army Inside Iran Operation True Promise 3 2nd Edition: Operation Rising Lion: Israel's Strike Against Iran's Nuclear Program Behind The Veil Of Deception: Catherine Perez-Shakdam Operation Rising Lion 2025: Israel's Strike on Iran's Nuclear Program

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International Relations from a Pakistani Perspective

A Comprehensive Masters-Level Textbook

Dr Naim Tahir Baig

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Naim Tahir Baig

International Relations from a Pakistani Perspective: A Comprehensive Masters-Level Textbook

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Dr. Naim Tahir Baig

Cell/ WhatsApp no. :[phone]

email: [e-mail]

First Edition: May 2025

The information and views set out in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of any institution or organization. Neither the publisher nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Dedicated to the whole Islamic world

May this work contribute to a deeper understanding of international relations and foster unity, wisdom, and progress among all Muslim nations and communities worldwide.

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

— Quran 3:103

"The study of international relations cannot be confined to the ivory towers of the West, nor can it be divorced from the lived experiences of nations that have struggled for independence, sovereignty, and dignity in a complex world order. Pakistan's journey through seven decades of international engagement offers profound lessons about resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of national interest within the constraints of global power dynamics.*

*This book emerges from the conviction that every nation's perspective enriches our collective understanding of international relations. Just as the Indus River has witnessed countless civilizations rise and flourish along its banks, Pakistan's strategic position has made it both observer and participant in the great currents of global politics.*

*To understand international relations truly, we must listen to voices from all corners of the world - from Islamabad to Istanbul, from Karachi to Cairo, from Lahore to Lagos. Only then can we hope to build a more just and equitable international order that serves not just the powerful, but all of humanity.*

*May this work contribute to a more inclusive discourse in international relations scholarship, one that honors both the universal principles of human dignity and the particular experiences that shape each nation's worldview."

-Dr. Naim Tahir Baig

Author and Scholar of International Relations*  

Islamabad, Pakistan

2025

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FROM A PAKISTANI PERSPECTIVE

A Comprehensive Masters-Level Textbook

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By Dr. Naim Tahir Baig

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PREFACE

The study of international relations has traditionally been dominated by Western theoretical frameworks and perspectives, often overlooking the rich intellectual traditions and unique geopolitical experiences of the Global South. This textbook represents a pioneering effort to examine international relations through a distinctly Pakistani lens, offering students and scholars a comprehensive understanding of how regional dynamics, Islamic civilization, and post-colonial experiences shape global politics.

Pakistan's strategic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East provides a unique vantage point for analyzing international relations. As a nuclear power, a key player in the Islamic world, and a nation born from the partition of British India, Pakistan's foreign policy experiences offer invaluable insights into the complexities of modern international relations.

This work is designed specifically for Masters-level students pursuing degrees in International Relations, Political Science, South Asian Studies, and related fields. It combines rigorous academic analysis with practical case studies drawn from Pakistan's seven-decade journey in international politics. The textbook addresses critical themes including sovereignty and state-building, regional security dynamics, economic diplomacy, multilateralism, and the role of religion in international affairs.

Each chapter builds upon established international relations theories while incorporating indigenous perspectives and analytical frameworks that reflect the Pakistani worldview. Special attention is given to Pakistan's relationships with major powers, its role in regional organizations, and its contributions to global peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

The book aims to bridge the gap between Western-centric international relations scholarship and the lived experiences of nations in the developing world, offering a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of global politics in the 21st century.

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Dr. Naim Tahir Baig

Islamabad, Pakistan

2025

Chapter 1: Theoretical Frameworks in Pakistani Context

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this chapter, students will be able to:

Analyze how classical IR theories apply to Pakistan's geopolitical reality

Evaluate the relevance of Western-centric theories for post-colonial states

Understand Pakistan's unique position as a revisionist middle power

Apply multiple theoretical lenses to understand Pakistan's foreign policy decisions

Critically assess the limitations and opportunities of each theoretical framework in explaining Pakistan's international behavior

Introduction: Theory Meets Reality in Pakistani Foreign Policy

The study of International Relations through a Pakistani lens requires us to grapple with a fundamental tension: how do we apply theories largely developed in Western academic traditions to understand the experiences of a post-colonial state born from partition, shaped by Islamic identity, and navigating complex regional and global dynamics? This chapter examines major theoretical frameworks—realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theory—not as abstract concepts, but as living tools that help us understand Pakistan's seventy-five years of diplomatic history.

Pakistan's journey from a newly independent state in 1947 to a nuclear-armed middle power presents unique challenges to conventional IR theory. As Agha Shahi, former Foreign Minister, noted in his seminal work, Pakistan's security imperatives have always been viewed through the prism of survival—first physical, then ideological, and ultimately strategic. This observation captures the essence of how theoretical frameworks must be adapted to understand Pakistan's international behavior.

Section 1: Realism and Pakistan's Security Paradigm

Classical Realism and the Primacy of Survival (1947-1971)

The realist paradigm, with its emphasis on power, survival, and the anarchic nature of the international system, finds perhaps its most vivid expression in Pakistan's foreign policy evolution. From the moment of its creation, Pakistan faced what its founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah termed an existential reality—a smaller state carved from British India, immediately embroiled in conflict over Kashmir, and struggling to establish viable state institutions.

Primary Source Excerpt:

Pakistan was founded not to be subservient to any power but to preserve the Islamic way of life and secure the political and economic rights of Muslims of the subcontinent... Yet we must be realists and understand that in this world of power politics, we must secure our defenses.

— Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Address to the Constituent Assembly, March 1948

The classical realist lens, as articulated by Hans Morgenthau, helps explain Pakistan's early foreign policy choices. The immediate search for external balancing against a larger India led to Pakistan's alignment with the United States through SEATO (1954) and CENTO (1955). This decision, heavily debated in Pakistani policy circles, represented what Foreign Secretary Aziz Ahmad later called the triumph of realpolitik over ideological considerations.

However, Pakistani scholars like Hasan Askari Rizvi have argued that Western realist theory inadequately captures the ideological dimension of Pakistan's security concerns. The Two-Nation Theory, which posited that Muslims and Hindus constituted separate nations, added an identity-based element to traditional security calculations that pure realist theory struggles to accommodate.

Neorealism and Pakistan's Alliance Strategies During the Cold War

Kenneth Waltz's structural realism provides insights into Pakistan's Cold War behavior. As a relatively weak state in a bipolar system, Pakistan's options were structurally constrained. The decision to align with the United States, despite domestic opposition and the pull of non-alignment, reflected what ISSI researcher Dr. Talat Masood terms the cruel arithmetic of capabilities.

Case Study: Pakistan's Response to the 1962 India-China War

The 1962 Sino-Indian conflict presented Pakistan with a classic realist dilemma. Despite being a US ally, Pakistan recognized an opportunity to balance against India by improving relations with China. Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's advocacy for closer Sino-Pakistani ties demonstrated sophisticated balancing behavior that neorealism would predict. As declassified Pakistani Foreign Office documents reveal:

The changed dynamics in our region require a recalibration of our strategic partnerships. While maintaining our Western commitments, we must explore openings with China as a natural balancer against Indian hegemony.

— Foreign Office Memorandum, December 1962 (Declassified 1992)

This pivot, which led to the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, exemplified how structural pressures override ideological considerations—Pakistan, an Islamic republic and US ally, developing strategic ties with Communist China.

Offensive Realism and Pakistan's Nuclear Doctrine

John Mearsheimer's offensive realism, which posits that states seek to maximize power rather than merely secure survival, offers a compelling framework for understanding Pakistan's nuclear journey. The program, initiated after the 1971 war that resulted in Bangladesh's independence, represented what Dr. Samar Mubarakmand called never again—never again would Pakistan face dismemberment due to conventional military inferiority.

The development of nuclear weapons, despite international sanctions and diplomatic isolation, reflected offensive realist logic. As analyzed by Pakistani strategic thinker Air Commodore Jamal Hussain:

Pakistan's nuclear program was not merely about deterring Indian aggression; it was about fundamentally altering the power dynamics of South Asia. It was about ensuring that Pakistan could pursue its core interests, including Kashmir, without fear of existential military defeat.

Contemporary Application: Full Spectrum Deterrence

Pakistan's evolution from credible minimum deterrence to full spectrum deterrence demonstrates offensive realist thinking. The development of tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs) through the Nasr missile system represents an attempt to deny India space for limited conventional operations under the nuclear threshold. This doctrinal evolution, as explained in the National Command Authority's strategic documents, seeks to maximize Pakistan's strategic options rather than merely ensure survival.

Realist Theory in Practice: Successes and Limitations

While realism explains much of Pakistan's security behavior, Pakistani scholars have identified several limitations:

Ideological Factors: Dr. Maleeha Lodhi argues that realism undervalues how Pakistan's Islamic identity shapes threat perceptions and alliance choices.

Domestic Politics: The military's dominant role in foreign policy, as analyzed by Ayesha Siddiqa in Military Inc., suggests that internal power dynamics significantly influence external behavior—a factor realism traditionally minimizes.

Economic Constraints: Pakistan's chronic balance of payments crises have often forced foreign policy compromises that contradict realist prescriptions for power maximization.

Section 2: Liberalism and Pakistan's Economic Diplomacy

Liberal Institutionalism and Pakistan's Multilateral Engagement

While Pakistan's foreign policy is often viewed through a realist lens, liberal international relations theory provides crucial insights into significant aspects of Pakistani diplomatic behavior. The liberal paradigm, with its emphasis on international cooperation, economic interdependence, and institutional governance, helps explain Pakistan's persistent engagement with multilateral forums despite disappointments.

Pakistan's founding membership in the United Nations and active participation in its specialized agencies reflected what Jinnah called our faith in international law and collective security. This early commitment to liberal institutionalism, however, was tempered by realist concerns. As Foreign Minister Sir Zafarullah Khan noted at the UN in 1947:

Pakistan believes in the principles of the United Nations Charter, but we cannot ignore that power politics often overwhelms principled positions. We engage with hope but prepare with prudence.

Economic Interdependence Theory and CPEC

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) represents a fascinating case study for liberal economic theory. The $62 billion project embodies the liberal belief that economic interdependence can create shared interests that transcend traditional security concerns. Pakistani economist Dr. Ishrat Husain argues:

CPEC is not merely about roads and power plants; it's about creating such deep economic integration that conflict becomes economically irrational. It's Pakistan's bet on the liberal peace through prosperity.

However, the CPEC experience also reveals limitations of liberal theory in the Pakistani context:

Primary Source Analysis: Parliamentary Debates on CPEC The National Assembly debates on CPEC (2015-2020) reveal deep concerns about asymmetric interdependence. Opposition leader Khursheed Shah warned:

While we welcome Chinese investment, we must ensure that interdependence does not become dependence. The liberal promise of mutual benefit must be balanced against preserving our economic sovereignty.

— National Assembly Proceedings, April 2016

Democratic Peace Theory: Pakistan's Democratic Transitions and Foreign Policy

The democratic peace theory—that democracies rarely fight each other—presents a complex case in Pakistan's context. Pakistan's oscillation between military and civilian rule provides a natural experiment for testing this theory. PILDAT's comprehensive study Democracy and Foreign Policy in Pakistan (2018) found:

Civilian Governments and India: Civilian governments showed greater willingness to engage India (Sharif-Vajpayee diplomacy, Zardari's trade not aid policy)

Military Influence: Even during civilian rule, the military's influence through the National Security Committee often constrained peace initiatives

Public Opinion: Democratic periods saw greater public debate on foreign policy, but also populist pressures that sometimes hardened positions

Case Study: Pakistan's WTO Accession and Trade Liberalization

Pakistan's accession to the World Trade Organization in 1995 exemplified liberal institutionalist logic. The decision, taken during Benazir Bhutto's second term, reflected belief in the benefits of economic integration. As Commerce Minister Ahmad Mukhtar explained:

Our WTO membership is about more than trade. It's about binding Pakistan to international rules that provide predictability and protection against arbitrary actions by powerful states.

However, Pakistan's experience with WTO dispute settlement, particularly in textile trade disputes with the EU and US, revealed power asymmetries that liberal theory often understates. As IPRI researcher Dr. Sajid Aziz notes:

The WTO promised a level playing field, but Pakistan discovered that rule-making and rule-enforcement still favor powerful states. Liberal institutions can constrain but not eliminate power politics.

Regional Integration Efforts: SAARC and ECO

Pakistan's role in founding SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) in 1985 reflected liberal optimism about regional cooperation. President Zia-ul-Haq's support for SAARC, despite his military background, demonstrated pragmatic recognition of economic imperatives. However, SAARC's limited success illustrates how security concerns can overwhelm liberal cooperation:

Trade within SAARC remains below 5% of total trade

The India-Pakistan rivalry has effectively paralyzed institutional development

Bilateral tensions have repeatedly derailed multilateral initiatives

The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), linking Pakistan with Central Asian states, Iran, and Turkey, offered an alternative regional framework. Yet here too, results have been modest, suggesting that institutional cooperation requires underlying political convergence—a point often underemphasized in liberal theory.

Section 3: Constructivism and Pakistani Identity

Islamic Identity in Foreign Policy Formulation

Constructivism's emphasis on ideas, identities, and social construction of interests provides essential insights into Pakistan's foreign policy that material theories miss. Pakistan's self-conception as an Islamic republic created for Muslims profoundly shapes its international behavior in ways that transcend material calculations.

The role of Islamic identity operates at multiple levels:

1. Constitutive Identity: Pakistan's raison d'être as a homeland for Muslims creates what constructivist scholar Dr. Tahir Amin calls an ideational imperative in foreign policy:

Pakistan cannot simply be understood as a territorial state pursuing material interests. Its very existence embodies an idea—that religious identity can and should determine political organization. This creates unique foreign policy imperatives.

2. Role Conception: Pakistan's self-perception as a leader of the Muslim world influences diplomatic priorities. The hosting of the 1974 Islamic Summit, which recognized the PLO and supported Palestinian rights, demonstrated identity-driven foreign policy that defied US preferences despite alliance relationships.

Primary Source: Bhutto's Islamic Summit Address

Pakistan stands at the crossroads of the Muslim world—not by geography alone but by destiny. Our nuclear program, our sacrifices for Muslim causes, our bridging of sectarian divides—all reflect our unique role in the Ummah.

— Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Islamic Summit Conference, Lahore, 1974

Strategic Culture and Historical Memory

Constructivism's attention to strategic culture illuminates how Pakistan's historical experiences create enduring foreign policy preferences. Three traumatic memories particularly shape Pakistani strategic culture:

1. Partition (1947): The violence accompanying Pakistan's birth created what psychologist Dr. Rubina Saigol terms partition syndrome—a deep fear of existential threats that permeates security thinking:

The collective memory of partition creates a strategic culture that sees existential threats where others might see manageable disputes. This trauma is refreshed with each India-Pakistan crisis.

2. 1971 War and Bangladesh: The loss of East Pakistan fundamentally altered Pakistani strategic thinking. General Mirza Aslam Beg's doctrine of strategic defiance emerged from this trauma:

Never again would Pakistan accept strategic inferiority. The bomb became not just a weapon but a psychological equalizer, a guarantee against another 1971.

3. Afghan Jihad (1979-1989): Pakistan's role as frontline state against Soviet occupation created what Dr. Hassan Abbas calls the jihadi overhang:

The Afghan experience convinced many in Pakistan's establishment that irregular forces could defeat superpowers. This 'lesson' profoundly influenced subsequent policies toward Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Role of Narratives in India-Pakistan Relations

Constructivism's focus on intersubjective meanings helps explain why India-Pakistan relations remain frozen despite periodic attempts at normalization. Competing narratives create what Dr. Moeed Yusuf terms narrative path dependency:

Pakistani Narrative:

India never accepted partition and seeks to undo Pakistan

Kashmir represents unfinished business of partition

Indian hegemonic ambitions threaten regional stability

Pakistan is victim of Indian aggression (1971, Siachen, etc.)

Counter-Narratives and Their Impact: These narratives, reinforced through education, media, and political discourse, create cognitive frameworks that interpret new information through established lenses. As SDPI's study on textbooks reveals, generations are socialized into adversarial identities that make peace politically costly.

Case Study: Two-Nation Theory's Impact on Contemporary Diplomacy

The Two-Nation Theory, which justified Pakistan's creation, continues to influence foreign policy seventy-five years later. Its contemporary manifestations include:

Citizenship Laws: Pakistan's response to India's Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) invoked Two-Nation Theory to criticize discrimination against Muslims

Kashmir Policy: The theory provides ideological justification for Pakistan's Kashmir position beyond strategic calculations

Diaspora Engagement: Pakistan's foreign policy actively engages Muslim minorities in India as validation of the Two-Nation Theory

Dr. Rasul Baksh Rais argues this creates a constructivist trap:

Pakistan's foundational narrative requires continuous validation through foreign policy. This ideational imperative sometimes conflicts with pragmatic interests, creating policy dilemmas that realism or liberalism cannot explain.

Section 4: Critical Theory and Post-Colonial Perspectives

Dependency Theory and Pakistan's Development Challenges

Critical IR theory, particularly its post-colonial variants, provides incisive analysis of Pakistan's position in the global system. Dependency theory explains how Pakistan's colonial past created structural disadvantages that persist despite political independence.

Dr. Akbar Zaidi's analysis of Pakistan's economic diplomacy reveals patterns of dependency:

Pakistan's integration into global capitalism occurred on disadvantageous terms established during colonial rule. Our role as raw material supplier and manufactured goods importer reflects colonial patterns that contemporary trade agreements often reinforce rather than transform.

Statistical Evidence:

60% of exports remain textiles and agricultural products

High-value manufacturing constitutes less than 15% of exports

Technology transfer provisions in trade agreements rarely materialize

Debt servicing consumes 40% of federal revenues

Post-Colonial Theory and Relations with Former Colonial Powers

Pakistan's complex relationship with Britain exemplifies post-colonial dynamics. Despite independence, multiple linkages maintain asymmetric relationships:

Educational: Elite preference for British education creates what Dr. Tariq Rahman calls mental colonization

Legal: Common law system maintains colonial-era structures

Military: British training and traditions influence Pakistani military culture

Diaspora: Large Pakistani diaspora in Britain creates complex interdependencies

Case Study: Pakistan's Response to Brexit

Pakistan's enthusiasm for post-Brexit trade deals with Britain revealed post-colonial psychology. As analyzed by Dr. Ayesha Jalal:

The eagerness to restore pre-EU trading relationships with Britain reflects not just economic calculation but psychological patterns of seeking validation from the former colonizer. This neo-colonial mentality undermines bargaining positions.

Feminist IR Theory and Women in Pakistani Diplomacy

Feminist IR theory illuminates gendered aspects of Pakistani foreign policy typically ignored by mainstream theories. Despite producing prominent female leaders (Benazir Bhutto, Maleeha Lodhi, Tehmina Janjua), Pakistan's foreign policy establishment remains heavily masculinized.

Dr. Farzana Bari's research reveals:

Women constitute only 7% of Foreign Service officers

Military dominance in foreign policy reinforces masculine strategic culture

Gender considerations rarely influence policy formulation

Women's security concerns are marginalized in national security discourse

Primary Source: Benazir Bhutto's Foreign Policy Vision

As a woman leader in an Islamic country, I understood that our foreign policy must balance multiple identities. We must be strong without being aggressive, principled without being rigid, Islamic without being isolationist.

— Benazir Bhutto, Daughter of the East (1988)

Case Study: Pakistan's Experience with Structural Adjustment Programs

The IMF's structural adjustment programs in Pakistan exemplify neo-colonial dynamics that critical theory exposes. Since 1958, Pakistan has entered 23 IMF programs, creating what economist Dr. Kaiser Bengali terms addiction to conditionality:

Pattern Analysis:

Balance of payments crisis forces Pakistan to IMF

Conditionalities require policy changes favoring global capital

Austerity measures undermine social spending

Political backlash leads to program abandonment

Crisis recurs, cycle repeats

Critical theorist Dr. Aasim Sajjad Akhtar argues:

IMF programs represent neo-colonial governance where Pakistani sovereignty is formally maintained but substantively compromised. Policy autonomy becomes illusory when international financial institutions dictate domestic choices.

Theoretical Synthesis: Toward an Integrated Understanding

No single theoretical lens adequately captures Pakistan's complex international relations. Rather, different theories illuminate different aspects of Pakistani foreign policy:

Complementary Insights

Realism explains security-driven behavior, especially regarding India and nuclear policy

Liberalism illuminates economic diplomacy and institutional engagement

Constructivism reveals how identity and ideas shape interests

Critical Theory exposes structural constraints and power asymmetries

Pakistani Theoretical Contributions

Pakistani scholars have developed synthetic approaches that combine insights:

Dr. Moeed Yusuf's Brokerage Model: Pakistan as a middle power that leverages great power competition rather than choosing sides—combining realist tactics with constructivist identity management.

Dr. Maleeha Lodhi's Strategic Depth Doctrine: Originally military concept expanded to include economic, diplomatic, and cultural dimensions—integrating multiple theoretical insights.

Air Marshal Asghar Khan's Composite Security: Security encompasses military, economic, social, and environmental dimensions—transcending narrow realist definitions.

Contemporary Policy Relevance and Implications

Understanding theoretical frameworks is not merely academic exercise but essential for effective policy formulation:

Policy Implications

Realist Insights: Pakistan must maintain credible deterrence while avoiding arms race dynamics

Liberal Opportunities: Economic integration offers pathways to peace that pure security approaches miss

Constructivist Awareness: Narrative management and identity politics significantly influence policy outcomes

Critical Consciousness: Recognizing structural constraints enables more realistic policy formulation

Current Challenges Through Theoretical Lenses

US-China Competition:

Realism suggests balancing opportunities

Liberalism warns against economic decoupling

Constructivism highlights identity conflicts

Critical theory exposes risks of proxy status

Climate Change Diplomacy:

Realism sees new security threats

Liberalism identifies cooperation opportunities

Constructivism emphasizes changing security conceptions

Critical theory reveals climate injustice

Discussion Questions

How does Pakistan's experience as a "security

Reviews for International Relations from a Pakistani Perspective

[gamerzrock83 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"International Relations from a Pakistani Perspective" by Dr. Naim Tahir Baig represents a significant contribution to the growing body of non-Western international relations scholarship. Positioned as "A Comprehensive Masters-Level Textbook," this 501-page work offers a distinctive South Asian lens through which to examine global political dynamics, filling a notable gap in the predominantly Western-centric international relations literature.

Strengths

The book's primary strength lies in its ambitious attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of international relations theory and practice from Pakistan's unique geopolitical vantage point. As a nation strategically positioned at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, Pakistan offers valuable insights into regional dynamics that are often underrepresented in mainstream IR texts.

Dr. Baig, who has authored 25 internationally published books, brings considerable academic expertise to this work. The comprehensive nature of the textbook, designed for masters-level study, suggests a thorough treatment of complex theoretical frameworks adapted to regional contexts and experiences.

The inclusion of a world map on the cover effectively symbolizes the book's global scope while maintaining its Pakistani perspective, indicating an approach that balances local insights with international breadth.

Academic Significance

This textbook addresses a critical need in international relations education by providing students and scholars with a non-Western perspective on global affairs. In an era where decolonizing academic curricula has become increasingly important, works like this offer essential alternative viewpoints that challenge Eurocentric assumptions in international relations theory.

The book's focus on Pakistan's perspective is particularly valuable given the country's complex relationships with major powers including the United States, China, and regional neighbors, as well as its role in contemporary issues such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and regional stability.