Maria Sultana, moderndiplomacy.eu
Lahore image from article
Modern state system introduced modern practices to regulate relations among states, public diplomacy [JB emphasis] is one of them. Public diplomacy contains three basic components; Foreign Policy, Social values and Cultural values. States try to achieve their goals whether political, economic or strategic through their soft practices. Public diplomacy is more popular in the developed world, whereas in the developing world this concept is becoming common with the passage of time but due to certain limitations developing states still lag behind the developed states.
Public diplomacy is a concept less popular in Pakistan, being a state domestically unstable Pakistan never actually focused on Public Diplomacy. Major modern states use public diplomacy as a tool of achieving their foreign policy goals because it is a more convenient way of pursing state goals or objectives. Whereas Pakistan lack such efficient institutions that can ensure Pakistan’s diplomatic practices abroad targeted towards Pakistan’s specific audience. So, Pakistan in this regard needs to improve these practices by promoting rich, diverse, open culture of Pakistan through cultural exchange programs, mass media and cultural exhibitions abroad. Pakistan is a multi-cultural society having extremely diverse and appealing cultures. Projection of cultural diversity through media can portray a softer image of Pakistan. Pakistan is home to a rich and world’s oldest civilizations, i.e. Gandhara and Indus valley (Mohen-jo-Daro). It is home and was a gateway of some of the world’s main religions, i.e. Islam and Budhism. It is rich in tourism, which stretches from the mighty Karakoram in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South. Pakistan is home to numerous peaks above 7,000 meters. Pakistan is brilliant with a rich and varied flora and fauna. Mighty Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges.Pakistan have to establish proper institutions that will completely take care of tourism in Pakistan.
Pakistan holds an important position in the international system and plays a key role as a regional player as well, Pakistan needs to show the world about Pakistan’s quest for a peaceful and stable South Asia by presenting itself as a stable democracy and a politically stable state. Since the day war on terror started Pakistan was there to offer its services but Pakistan was never able to put forward this image of Pakistan in front of the other states and let every state know how much Pakistan has suffered in fighting war against terrorism. Pakistan need institutions that can export this image of Pakistan.
Pakistan is among the states emerging in technological sector, Pakistan can invite experts in technology from all around the world and can bridge the gap between experts in Pakistan and abroad, collaboration in various non-political sectors would gradually enhance the position of Pakistan around the world, particularly in technological sector will enhance Pakistan’s positions as a progressive state.
Students on exchange programs in different countries can carry the real values of Pakistan around the world to show them that Pakistan is a tolerant society who respect all the religions and sects present in their community. Pakistan government should initiate student exchange programs, foreign students that will visit Pakistan through these programs can get to know about Pakistani society and people more deeply. Media groups of important states can collaborate with Pakistan’s media sector to generate quality journalism as media is one of the most important tool and can carry a message that other mediums cannot deliver. Pakistan can promote tourism around the world, in the previous year the influx of tourists increased in Pakistan and Pakistan was declared as a safe place for tourists.
Currently Pakistan is in need of successful public diplomacy because the message can be conveyed easily, enhanced public diplomacy practices will not only improve the image of Pakistan at the international forum but will also help Pakistan in achieving political as well as strategic goals, the goals that cannot be achieved through hard power can be achieved through soft power. So, Pakistan has to think in this dimension too.
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