FROM SPEECHES TO IMPLEMENTATION: AN ANALYSIS OF IMRAN KHAN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Abstract

The relationship between political speeches and policy execution is a critical issue especially in nations where internal and external factors influence decision-making. Pakistan during Imran Khan’s tenure served as a significant example for analyzing the implementation of such foreign policy as Khan persistently championed a foreign policy that would be autonomous, sovereign, and grounded in principles via his addresses and party manifesto. This article deals with the question,to what degree was Imran Khan’s declared foreign policy executed during his time as Prime Minister of Pakistan, and what kind of local and foreign elements hindered the achievement of his proclaimed foreign policy goals?This research used a qualitative methodology incorporating discourse analysis, content analysis, and policy analysis. Primary sources encompass Imran Khan’s speeches to the United Nations General Assembly, national address on his foreign policy, official declarations, and the manifesto of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. These discourses were related to the United States, China, Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Pakistan’s reaction to Islamophobia that contrasted with significant foreign policy choices of Imran Khan.This research revealed that a notable disparity was between Khan’s foreign policy speeches and party manifesto and its execution. He conveyed a clear vision of an independent and principle-based foreign policy in his rhetoric, but the execution was only partially realized due to institutional limitations, domestic political factors, economic reliance, regional security issues, and evolving geopolitical circumstances. This research contends that these structural elements constrained PTI’s capacity to completely realize its normative foreign policy goals.