By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD : Once upon a time, Pakistan’s foreign policy used to be exemplary. Pakistan had a strong presence in the field of international diplomacy. Pakistan’s diplomats were the best in the world, and because of their professionalism, intelligence and knowledge.
The 1970s were the heyday of Pakistan’s diplomacy. But today, Pakistani institutions and the country are being made fun of. Due to the irresponsibility shown by the government and ministers at the national and international level, the country and the people are not only embarrassed but also suffering irreparable damages. It is the consequence of bad governance the Pakistan are suffering?
The irresponsibility of the government at the national and international level is damaging country’s’ image with irrecoverable losses. The protocol of foreign dignitaries visiting Pakistan and their table setting is not taken care of.
The bed governance and non-serious attitudes of Government high ups has caused great embarrassment to the country .
During the recent visit of Foreign Minister of Switzerland to Islamabad the Foreign Minister ,Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Secretary Foreign Affairs was absent? FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Hina Khar were host,but not even present, to receive foreign guest or meet the counterpart. Pakistani FM could not meet the pre-scheduled meeting with Swiss FM.
Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis ,federal councilor and accompanied by a high-level delegation arrived in Islamabad on Friday, where he met with Acting Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi.
He had scheduled meetings with the Foreign Minister ,Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, which was pre-scheduled as is the practice around the world. His protocol and hospitality were not properly arranged, as expressed by his Swiss diplomat.
These meetings could not be held due to the non-availability of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
According to Foreign Affairs sources the Foreign Secretary was away. ‘Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar could not be traced’. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is on a mysterious private weekend visit to America. He went to Tokyo and left for San Francisco on July 4. Today, the week ended on July 11.
Sources said, ‘State Minister’ is nowhere to be seen’. The Minister of State is not being contacted. ‘She is not answering calls’. ‘The staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not aware of the whereabouts of the two ministers’.
What is happening in Islamabad? No one is in charge. The country is on its own. The government is paralysed. The country of 250 million people is in turbulent waters. Total apathy in various organs of the state.
A high level official of M/O Foreign Affairs said that the Chief Executive, masquerading as the Prime Minister, is just a joke. He is desperate. He has no control over the ministers of his government’. He said the Prime Minister is looking towards power centers to extend his tenure.
Can any foreign guest of Minister level be treated with such disrespect? There is no one to answer as to how such irresponsibility and dereliction of duty with Pakistan can happen with impunity and It goes unnoticed and even goes unreported.
