Militancy and Counter Militancy measures: Impact on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

Militancy has become the major security challenge to Pakistan. Religious, sectarian and ethnic based militancy not only proliferated in the tribal regions of Pakistan but also affected the urban centres. In order to counter the acts of militant, military operations were launched by Pakistan army. In this context, the increasing pace of militancy and counter militancy measures taken by Pakistan since 2003 had a profound influence on Pakistan’s relation with Afghanistan, US and India. On the other hand, it also created some incentives and opportunities at the foreign policy and security front in the shape of aid and assistance and its coalition with US. The present study will focus on some research questions. How the issue of militancy affected Pakistan foreign policy? What incentives and constraints were developed on Pakistan’s foreign policy due to counter militant measures taken by Pakistan in its tribal areas? How the issue of internal security influence the external relations of Pakistan? How the outcome of militancy and counter-militant measures affected Pakistan’s foreign policy? Research suggests Pakistan should highlight its counter militancy measures in international community by media campaign, effective diplomacy at UN and speedy trial of militants in courts to give them a strong message.