From Ideological State to Pragmatic Player: Pakistan’s Identity Crisis in a Multipolar World Order

Abstract

This article examines the evolving foreign policy of Pakistan against the backdrop of a multipolar world order characterized by the rise of China, the recalibration of the United States, and intensifying regional power dynamics. Tracing Pakistan’s trajectory from its ideological foundations rooted in the Two-Nation Theory and Islamic solidarity during the Cold War to its contemporary pragmatic engagements, the study identifies a persistent identity crisis stemming from the tension between ideological commitments and pragmatic necessities. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in secondary data and framed through the theoretical lenses of realism and constructivism, the analysis reveals that Pakistan’s foreign policy has gradually shifted toward economic diplomacy and strategic diversification, exemplified by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, this transition has produced policy inconsistencies and domestic contestations, manifesting as an unresolved identity crisis. The article argues that this crisis, while constraining policy coherence, also serves as an adaptive strategy enabling Pakistan to navigate competing pressures from major powers and regional actors. The findings highlight the broader relevance for developing countries grappling with similar ideological-pragmatic dilemmas in a multipolar era. Recommendations include institutionalizing economic diplomacy, depoliticizing strategic choices, and fostering regional connectivity. Ultimately, Pakistan’s capacity to reconcile its ideological heritage with pragmatic adaptation will determine its future role as a stable, coherent, and effective actor in the emerging global order.

Keywords: Pakistan Foreign Policy, Identity Crisis, Multipolar World Order, Ideological Pragmatism, Strategic Reorientation, Constructivism