Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy: Intersections in Pakistan’s Strategic Decisions

Abstract

The processes of making decisions in Pakistan's Foreign Policy are embedded in the arena of internal governance. The article explores the nature of internal political processes such as civil military relations, the federal–provincial relations and economic controls in Pakistan's external relations and strategic decisions. Based on the neoclassical realist theory and empirical facts of the period 2018-2025, it is found that Pakistan's foreign policy is holistic for national security. The study focuses on three key areas: the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an example of development and strategic cooperation; the Afghanistan policy as an example of regional stability efforts; and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) engagements as economic reform tools. The results indicate a gradual process by which Pakistan has been attempting to link economic strength with foreign policy stability. The text is a contribution to the literature on domestic sources of foreign policy and provides insights for international partners dealing with Pakistan.

Keywords: Pakistan, Civil Military Relations, Foreign Policy, CPEC, National Security, Economic Security