Pakistan’s belated decision to skip the summit for democracy is a significant move that has garnered mixed reaction from various quarters. While some argue that the country’s decision is a wise one, others criticize it for sending the wrong message to the international community.
The second edition of the virtual summit, hosted by the United States, aims to bring together leaders from around the world to discuss issues related to democracy, including governance, human rights and the rule of law.
China and Turkiye are conspicuous for not having been invited to the summit.
The issue of Pakistan’s participation in the summit remained under discussion for quite some time, particularly because it could potentially upset its “all-weather friend” China. The decision had been a challenging one, with Pakistan weighing the benefits of participation against the potential risks to its diplomatic relationships in the region and across the world.
It’s very important for Pakistan at this stage to focus on the fallout of growing US-China rivalry, especially within the already fraught South Asian security environment where US has diverted its investment to India only to counter-balance China.
Historically, Pakistan has played very critical role in maintain the balance of power in the region. It should play a bridging role to help ease tensions between the US and China.
On the one hand, Pakistan has been facing numerous challenges both domestically and internationally, including economic challenges, security threats and strained relations with its neighbors. In this context, Pakistan’s decision to skip the summit for democracy may be seen as a pragmatic move to focus on domestic priorities.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s decision may be seen as an attempt to distance itself from the Western-led democracies, which it believes have a history of interfering in its internal affairs. Pakistan’s leaders have long argued that the country’s democratic process should be allowed to evolve at its own pace, and that the West should not impose its own standards and values on the country.
On the other hand, critics argue that Pakistan’s decision to skip the summit for democracy sends the wrong message to the international community. Democracy is a core value that is cherished by many countries around the world, and Pakistan’s decision not to participate in the summit which seeks to promote democracy could be interpreted as a lack of commitment to democratic values.
Pakistan’s decision could be seen as a missed opportunity to engage with other countries and share its own experiences with democracy. By skipping the summit, Pakistan has missed an opportunity to showcase its democratic achievements, such as holding regular elections and allowing freedom of the press.
Pakistan’s decision to skip the summit underscores the need for the international community to continue to engage with Pakistan and other countries that are struggling with these issues, and work towards building a more democratic and equitable world.
