People still raise questions about and some even criticize the decision of the first PM of Pakistan Shaeed-e-Millat Liaqat Ali Khan for not accepting the invitation to go to Moscow in the 1950s, instead choosing to go to the US. Of recent, a question is reverberating in the news and social media about why our ex PM Imran Khan went to Moscow? At a time when Russia is being criticized by many, particularly the West, for its “operations” or “invasion” (depending on which term one prefers) in Ukraine.
It is a mystery that what prompted the first PM to look towards Washington, even after his own initial desire to visit Moscow. It may have been after realizing President Eisenhower’s tilt towards India or under pressure from Pakistan’s west-leaning establishment of the time, which made the PM look towards the west. Has the position of the establishment become more balanced and rational now?
For now, let’s focus on the recent visit of the recently axed PM Imran Khan to Moscow. It should be noted that missing out on a big opportunity to mend/strengthen relations with a highly significant country of the world can hurt a nation badly; we have tasted its effects in the past. Today, Pakistan does not have much of a choice but to take a balanced position in its relations with super powers of the world. It is closer to the non – alignment approach, which we did not adopt in the 1950s. It seems unwise today to stick to the same old ways of choosing a particular camp or alliance. A country like Pakistan must try to keep good relationships with all major powers of the world. Hence, cancellation of a pre-planned visit of our ex PM to Moscow would not have gone well with Krimlin. It would have put significant strain on our relations with Russia, bringing it back to the old uncomfortable levels. Moreover, ex PM’s response in Moscow to the questions in a press briefing about the situation in Ukraine was well balanced, calling to avoid war and to look for a negotiated settlement.
Pakistan must continue to keep the balance in our relationships; it is not anymore a newly born, weak nation of the 1950s, threatened by a giant neighbor to its East. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power. Every major power would be inclined to keep good relations with Pakistan, as long as there is no provocative reason provided by us to create our own enemies. We need not to underestimate our position and we should learn to leverage our position in the international relations.
