Perspective

Maj Gen (Retd) Ijaz Awan (Defense Analyst): The previous year was an important year as for as foreign policy of Pakistan is concerned as we have not only achieved regional but global milestones. The US-led forces tangled in Afghanistan and requested Pakistan to facilitate dialogue process between United States and Afghan Taliban. Pakistan played an important role in convincing Afghan Taliban to sit on the negotiation table. Moreover, despite of Indian propaganda against Pakistan, we have witnessed the participation of not only the foreign ministers from Islamic world but the representatives from P5 countries, the United States and European Union also attended the OIC foreign minister meeting held in Islamabad. It means Pakistan is regionally and globally important and relevant country. It is Pakistan that raised the issue of Islamophobia on all international forums and developed a mutual consensus among Muslim Ummah in this regard. As far as economy is concerned, Pakistan managed to improve its trade with Russia, United States, China and western countries. These are the landmark achievements. Meanwhile, as result of OIC communiqué on Afghan issue held in Pakistan, United Nations also passed a resolution to give 8.2 billion dollars annually as aid to Afghan people. If there is stability in Afghanistan the central Asian countries will find a path through Afghanistan to Gawadar port. China will find its path to trade with central Asian states. Similarly, Russia will also find a way through Afghanistan to reach the warm-waters.

Nuqta-e-Nazar

Syed Fakhar Imam (Federal Minister): The agriculture sector in Pakistan has improved to great extent in last two years and record production of major crops is being observed. We have produced 27.5 billion tons of wheat this year. Similarly 9 million tons rice is produced and its exports have also improved. Sugarcane produced is almost 89 million tons which is favorable for the farmers and the country as well. This year we have produced over 8.2 million tons corn. Pakistan has also witnessed a huge cotton production and overall exports in the country have improved. We are also expecting record production of mangos this year that is a positive development.

Najam-ul-Saqib (Former Ambassador): The year 2021 was much better than 2019 and 2020 in many aspects. Indian propaganda to isolate Pakistan in the world badly failed as Pakistan managed to get attention of major countries and successfully held an OIC foreign ministers conference on Afghanistan issue where the representatives from the world powers also participated. The Prime Minister and the foreign minister utilized all available forums to highlight Kashmir issue and the way Pakistan raised the issue of Islamophobia is highly appreciable. However, the Pak-US relation declined due to certain misunderstandings. After the Taliban took control in Afghanistan, the United States officials blamed Pakistan for supporting Afghan Taliban. The overall foreign policy of Pakistan is in right direction and it must be focused on to improve friendly relations with all the neighboring and the regional countries.