Page | 29 CHALLENGES TO FOREIGN POLICY OF PAKISTAN IN 21 ST CENTURY Jamshed Ali Baloch* Dr. Kiran Sami Memon** Humera Hakro*** Abstract Foreign policy of Pakistan seems to have been facing grim challenges since the very existence of the country. Indeed the challenges posed in 21 st century are more serious threat to the foreign policy and state of Pakistan. The challenges like the event of 9/11, globalization, extremism, terrorism and economic decline have impeded the effectiveness of the foreign policy of Pakistan. The State is perceived by the world community as the most dangerous place on earth and hub of terrorism. This research paper unleashes the threats and challenges to the state and foreign policy of Pakistan and suggests some viable options for the stability, progressiveness and effectiveness of the state and foreign policy of Pakistan as linchpin for the stability of the South Asian region and an important ally of US in war on terrorism. Keywords: Pakistan, Challenges, Foreign Policy, War on Terror, Viable Options Introduction The world has entered into 21 st century and the challenges of the new century are grueling and intractable. Only politically stable, technologically advanced and economically sound countries can compete in the prevalent world of globalization. The challenges after 9/11 has put the world in a dangerous situation, where the clash of civilization, more sophisticated means and weapons in the hand of non state holders and pertinacious attitude of the super power seems to have an impregnable scenario. Security pretext of U.S has breached civilized norms of international law and provided an alibi to occupy any territory or promptly attack anywhere in the world. Two events have brought about drastic change in the south Asian region. Firstly, the end of Cold War that created more cooperation among the countries in the region and new wave of Kashmir struggle that created Nuclearisation in the region and the emergence of Taliban in Afghanistan. Secondly, the event of 9/11 has given birth to new game in the region. The presence of America in the region seems to be emergence of new forces and factors which give birth to new challenges to the foreign policy of Pakistan. For an understanding of country’s foreign policy, it is also important to start with the circumstances of the beginning. For a fragile state like Pakistan that faced immediate hostility from it much larger neighbor the security concern was inevitable; and it should become the leadership’s primary responsibility. The changing geo-strategic, geo-political and geo-economic environment of the South Asian region has posed new kind of security, economic challenges to the foreign policy of Pakistan. Implications of Changing Geo-Strategic Environment in the Region Many analysts are of the view that 21 st century is for the Asians. The South Asian region is crucially significant in many aspects. The countries like India and china are