Ans: Geo-Strategic Significance of Pakistan in Global Setting:
Central Position in the Islamic World:
Geographically, Pakistan occupies a central place in the Muslim World.
Pakistan is located almost in the midst of the Muslim states starting from
Morocco in the West to Indonesia in the East
Significance in World Affairs:
In the history of international relations, the period during which Pakistan
emerged as an independent state is known as the “Cold War Era”. The era
was marked with polarization between the Communist Block led by the
Soviet Union and the Capitalist Block led by the United States of America.
Both big powers were trying to expand their sphere of influence. Since
Pakistan was located in the neighborhood of the Soviet Union, America
attached great importance to our support as partner of her policy of
containment of the USSR. After the fall of the Soviet empire there were other
realities which made us relevant in global politics such as our relations with
China, the emerging world power and our checkered relationship with our
problem neighbour, Afghanistan.
Significance as an Important Third World Country:
The People’s Republic of China occupies a place of prime importance in
world politics as an emerging Asian Power. Pakistan has very close friendly
relations with China. Both countries maintain identical point of view regarding
most of the international issues. China considers Pakistan as a trustworthy
friend.
Corridor for Afghanistan and the Central Asian States:
The Soviet Union had established itself as a super global power at the time of
Pakistan’s birth. The USSR occupied the largest area of land on the globe.
Afghanistan’s narrow land strip of Wakhan separated Pakistan from the then
Soviet state of Tajikistan. The sea bordering the USSR remains frozen
throughout the year making navigation and trade impossible. It is a well-known
fact that maritime transport is the cheapest and the most economical means of
goods forwarding. Allah has blessed Pakistan with warm water ports in the
Arabian Sea, where shipping continues un-interrupted throughout the year. Most
well-known of these ports are Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar. Pakistan
provides transit facilities to the vehicles carrying goods from our seaports to
Afghanistan and the Central Asian States. Karachi is the most important seaport
for trade between East and West.
Pakistan’s Role in War Against Terrorism:
After September 11, 2001, the USA started war against Al-Qaeda and other
terrorist organizations. Due to our strategic position America needed
Pakistan’s support to operate in Afghanistan, these developments again
made Pakistan’s importance felt by the global community.