A series of leaked documents have revealed the dilemma that Pakistan faces over the Ukraine conflict. The documents, which were obtained by The Washington Post, show that the Pakistani government is torn between its desire to maintain good relations with the United States and its need to protect its economic interests from Russia.
In one of the documents, a conversation between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar is overheard discussing the upcoming UN vote on a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sharif is heard expressing concern that if Pakistan votes in favour of the resolution, it could jeopardize its trade and energy deals with Russia. Khar, on the other hand, argues that Pakistan has a moral obligation to support Ukraine, and it should not be afraid to stand up to Russia.
In another document, a Pakistani intelligence official is quoted as saying that the country is “caught in the middle” of the Ukraine conflict. The official notes that Pakistan has traditionally been a close ally of the United States, but that it also has important economic ties to Russia. The official concludes by saying that Pakistan will “have to make some difficult choices” in the coming months.
The leaked documents provide a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the government. They also highlight the challenges that Pakistan faces in balancing its foreign policy interests. In an era of rising great power competition, Pakistan will need to carefully navigate its relations with the United States, Russia, and China. The leaked documents also have
implications for the US global agenda. The documents show that the United States is having increasing difficulty getting other countries to support its policies. This is particularly true in the case of emerging powers such as India, Brazil, Pakistan, and Egypt. These countries are increasingly reluctant to take sides in the US-China rivalry, and they are more interested in pursuing their economic interests.
The documents are a reminder that the United States is no longer the world’s unchallenged superpower. In an era of multipolarity, the United States will need to find new ways to build consensus and cooperation with other countries. This will be a difficult task, but it is essential if the United States wants to maintain its global leadership.
