PAKISTAN'S MIDDLE EAST POLICY - A DILEMMA OF PASSION AND INTEREST

This article analyzes the inherent dilemma in Pakistan's Middle East policy, which is torn between the "passion" of Islamic solidarity and the "interest" of pragmatic national security and economic concerns. The study examines how Pakistan has sought to balance its deep-rooted ideological and religious ties with the Arab world against its strategic and economic objectives. The research explores Pakistan's role in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), its military and security cooperation with Gulf states, and its position on the Arab-Israeli conflict. The paper argues that while the appeal to Islamic unity provides the rhetorical foundation of its policy, in practice, Pakistan's actions are often guided by a realist calculation of its national interests, creating a persistent tension. The analysis concludes by assessing how this dilemma shapes Pakistan's ability to act as a significant player in the region.

Pakistan's foreign policy towards the Middle East has always been shaped by a fundamental tension between ideological aspirations and strategic imperatives. This paper delves into this "dilemma of passion and interest." The "passion" component is analyzed through the lens of Pakistan's identity as an Islamic republic and its pan-Islamic foreign policy orientation. This section explores how the shared faith has fostered strong bonds with the Arab world and has been a cornerstone of Pakistan's diplomacy, particularly within the OIC. The "interest" component, on the other hand, is examined from a realist perspective. This section analyzes Pakistan's concrete strategic and economic objectives in the region, which include securing vital economic aid and oil supplies from the Gulf monarchies, finding markets for its labor exports, and seeking strategic depth in its rivalry with India. The core of the article explores the instances where these two drivers of policy come into conflict, for example, in navigating the complexities of the Iran-Iraq war or balancing relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. The study argues that Pakistani policymakers have historically performed a delicate balancing act, using the rhetoric of passion to pursue the goals of interest. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities of foreign policy making in a state where national identity and strategic needs are in a constant, dynamic interplay.