Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

Summary

The creation of Pakistan stemmed from a “siege mentality” cultivated by its founding fathers to justify the demand for an independent state at the time of Partition. The central claim was that Muslims in a united India faced an existential threat from the Hindu majority, which made a separate homeland imperative. After independence, the ruling elite—particularly the military—continued to rely on this narrative to foster anxiety and insecurity among the populace and to position the military as the nation’s ultimate protector. Pakistan’s foreign policy subsequently developed around two enduring pillars that continue to shape its direction today. The first is a rentier disposition, whereby the state relies heavily on external financial patronage to sustain its operations. The second is the strategic use of militant proxies to advance geopolitical ambitions. This study begins by outlining the importance of examining Pakistani foreign policy, then reviews key scholarship on the subject. It subsequently analyzes how the ruling elite have persisted in shaping foreign policy around these two pillars rather than prioritizing the foundations of a prosperous economy and society.