Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU
Pakistan's economic development undergoes multiple challenges due to weak economic planning, misplaced priorities, and poor economic performance. Despite having a longstanding engagement with the major economies and international financial institutions, Pakistan has not been able to derive full benefits due to ineffective planning and policies. Domestically, this economic predicament is attributed to inadequate governance structures and poor economic policies while externally, it is the result of overemphasis on geopolitical objectives in foreign policy pursuits. As the economic capacity of a state plays a central role in determining its global influence and ensuring its security and survival. This paper draws policy lessons for prioritizing the economic agenda in Pakistan's foreign policy based on the country's economic relations with major actors including the US, China, and the EU. It provides recommendations for optimizing economic dividends with respect to trade, investment, and business-friendly relations with other countries.
-
Pakistan, Geo-economics, Geo-Politics, Export Diversification, Value Addition, Human Rights, Economic Integration, Exports, Governance
-
(1) Muhammad Riaz Shad
Professor, Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Aqsa Malik
Research Assistant, Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Maira Tariq
Research Assistant, Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad, Pakistan.
-
Alam, R. (2024, April 14) Corporate Window: Pakistan’s Labour Productivity Dilemma. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1827178
- Butt, N. (2024, September 8) Economic Planning: Policy board set up. Business Recorder. September 8, 2024. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40321404
- Developing Youth Skills for the Future: A vision from Pakistan. United Nations. Developing Youth Skills for the Future: A Vision from Pakistan | United Nations
- EU trade relations with Pakistan. Facts, figures, and latest developments. European Commission. (2024, May 21)https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/pakistan_en#:~:text=The%20EU%20is%20Pakistan's%20second,for%200.2%25%20of%20EU%20trade.
- European Union Delegation to Pakistan. Joint Press Release. Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations in New York | EEAS
- GSP+ in Pakistan, A Brief Introduction. Democracy Reporting International. 3240gsp_in_pakistan._a_brief_introduction..pdf
- Gyimah, K. O. (1972). Rostow's stages of economic growth: Does it provide a useful scheme for viewing and interpreting modern economic growth in developing countries? A case study of Ghana. Journal of Eastern African Research & Development, 2(1), 13-27. https://www.africabib.org/rec.php?RID=18459457X
- Khan, T. F. (2024, December 3). Policy lessons for prioritizing economic agenda in Pakistan-EU relations. International Conference on Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan’s Foreign Policy towards United States, China and European Union 2024, Islamabad.
- Malik, A. I. (2024, December 2). Policy lessons for prioritizing economic agenda in Pakistan-EU relations. International Conference on Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan’s Foreign Policy towards United States, China and European Union 2024, Islamabad.
- Naseer, N. (2024, March 29). Breaking the mold: The evolution of US-Pakistan cooperation beyond security. STIMSON. https://www.stimson.org/2024/evolution-of-us-pakistan-cooperation-beyond-security/
-
New Reports makes the case for investing in adolescents and youth in Pakistan. UNICEF Pakistan,News desk. (2024, June 22) Internal stability must for any nation to develop: Chinese minister The News. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1202295-internal-stability-must-for-any-nation-to-develop-chinese-minister
- Rana, S. ( 2023, November 21) EU questions Pakistan’s record of Human Rights restrictions on media. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447449/eu-questions-pakistans-record-of-human-rights-restrictions-on-media
- Rostow, W. W. (2000, August 29). Stages of economic growth: A non-communist manifesto. Cambridge University Press.
- Sattar, S., & M.Mubasal.(2024, March 25) Exporting for Innovation and Profitability. Business news. https://www.brecorder.com/news/40295275
- Sharif, H. (2024, December 2). Keynote speaker. International Conference on Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan’s Foreign Policy towards United States, China and European Union 2024, Islamabad.
- Trade Privileges for Sri Lanka to be suspended. Politico. (2010, February 10) https://www.politico.eu/article/trade-privileges-for-sri-lanka-to-be-suspended/
- World Economic Forum. (2017) The Global Competitiveness Report 2017-18. Geneva: World Economic Forum. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR 2016- 2017/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2016-2017_FINAL.pd
Cite this article
-
APA : Shad, M. R., Malik, A., & Tariq, M. (2025). Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU. Global Political Review, X(I), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).02
-
CHICAGO : Shad, Muhammad Riaz, Aqsa Malik, and Maira Tariq. 2025. "Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU." Global Political Review, X (I): 16-24 doi: 10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).02
-
HARVARD : SHAD, M. R., MALIK, A. & TARIQ, M. 2025. Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU. Global Political Review, X, 16-24.
-
MHRA : Shad, Muhammad Riaz, Aqsa Malik, and Maira Tariq. 2025. "Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU." Global Political Review, X: 16-24
-
MLA : Shad, Muhammad Riaz, Aqsa Malik, and Maira Tariq. "Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU." Global Political Review, X.I (2025): 16-24 Print.
-
OXFORD : Shad, Muhammad Riaz, Malik, Aqsa, and Tariq, Maira (2025), "Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU", Global Political Review, X (I), 16-24
-
TURABIAN : Shad, Muhammad Riaz, Aqsa Malik, and Maira Tariq. "Prioritizing Economic Agenda in Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Policy Lessons Based on its Engagement with the US, China, and the EU." Global Political Review X, no. I (2025): 16-24. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).02