"Pakistan - A Transformed Regional Perspective": Address from Hina Rabbini Khar at the Asia Society

Sept. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- NEW YORK - Addressed as 'Her Excellency', the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Rabbini Khar gave an address at the Asia Society in New York City today that sought to clarify Pakistan's position in regional affairs. In a talk titled, "Pakistan: A Transformed Regional Perspective," Khar spelled out a vision of a new future for Pakistan, one less defined by opposition to neighboring countries and more defined by how it can become an intrinsic player in the economic forces that are predicted to define the region.

Recounting history, she cited the period of the 1700's as a time when Asian GDP accounted for 60 percent of world GDP. That figure sank to 20 percent by 1980, but has been on an upswing since and now accounts for 28 percent of world GDP. If the trend continues, Asia could be expected to account for 50 percent of world GDP by the year 2050. Khar says Pakistan would like to play a "dominant role" in managing that growth of commercial output.

According to her figures, by the year 2050, 3 billion Asians (accounting for 60% of projected population) will be living affluent lifestyles. In the Pakistani vision of a transformed regional perspective, Pakistan would no longer be viewed as an antagonist in the region but instead a vital trade partner linking "energy-rich" central Asia with "energy-hungry" south Asia.

For this to occur, Khar acknowledges that there must be peace and stability in the region. Thus the Pakistani government has embarked on what they are terming a "regional pivot," an attempt to engender trust and confidence among neighboring governments, most notably Afghanistan and India. As an example of how this is being practiced, Khar says that the only foreign official invited to Pakistan President Zadari's inauguration ceremony was President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan.

Khar’s remarks suggest the relationship with China will present the greatest challenge for Pakistan. She says that the present relationship is characterized by fear and mistrust, and she called for a fresh start. Without providing detail, she said that Pakistan is taking the initiative to show good faith first in the hope that the trust and goodwill generated can then be reciprocated. In terms of Pakistan’s relationship with other Asian nations, Khar pointed to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a beacon for leading the way to a more peaceful and stable region for each of its member countries.

If there was a theme that was consistent throughout her hour-long address, it was the notion of confidence. Pakistan seems to be working to find the confidence it needs to address the issues that have hampered its development in the past. The feeling seems to be that  in a future of regional haves and have-nots, Pakistan hopes it will not be left behind, and it is taking steps now to ensure that. As she noted in her remarks, "Things are imposed on us, sometimes."

On the point of her own political ascendancy, made possible through family connections and notable because she is one of the few women serving in her party, Khar said that she expects to see a day when every child of her country will have an opportunity to become a foreign minister, regardless of their race, religion, sex, age or other discriminatory factors.

Yaphet Murphy
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