PAKISTAN’S relationship with competing global powers, and effective participat­i­­­on in international peace efforts, have of­­fe­red the country avenues to exercise inf­­luence beyond its economic weight. It has managed to grab international attention due to its role as a mediator in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran.

However, diplomatic recognition does not automatically translate into economic prosperity for a country. Pakistan needs to convert its growing diplomatic relevance into sustainable and durable economic partnerships, which include foreign direct investment, regional connectivity and technology transfer.

Pakistan has increasingly sought to use international platforms to seek its economic interests. Its engagements with multilateral forums such as the United Nations, OIC and SCO provide opportunities to promote trade, attract investment and build partnerships. The economic diplomacy initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its dedicated coordination with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) highlight an acknowledgement that economic policy and foreign policy can no longer operate in isolation.

Last month, the SIFC presented an inv­e­­stment pipeline to a Senate........

© Dawn