Pakistan has remained highly disadvantaged by its negligence in the development of soft national power. This theme was highlighted in a recent seminar at the Institute of Strategic Studies.
Ever since its creation, Pakistan has faced the external threat from India and had to devote most of its meagre resources in building its defence capability. The fear of the external threat was the primary incentive for it to join CENTO, SEATO and the Baghdad Pact. Similar considerations drove Pakistan to be a partner of the US, during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and after 9/11.
