Pakistan’s Image Abroad Address at the Institute of International Affairs, Karachi, August 20, 1960

Our foreign publicity is conducted through various news media like the press, radio, television, films and publications, in addition, of course, to discussions, seminars and lectures initiated and encouraged by our representatives abroad.

Foreign publicity being closely linked with foreign policy, we have at present a working arrangement at home, which ensures the fullest coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information.

It is amazing that the greatest impact Pakistan was able to make on world opinion came about during a period of financial stringency when we had to withdraw some Press Attaches from our Missions abroad. The explanation is simple. The performance at home was so spectacular and the record of Pakistan achievements so impressive that the world could not possibly fail to notice an emergent nation which had rediscovered its self-respect and dignity and was determined to forge ahead and make its rightful contribution to world peace.

It has been a firm principle with us to eschew magnified claims, for no publicity can be effective unless it approximates to the truth. The Government has and is building up an impressive record which has been generously acknowledged all over the world. Publicity is no substitute for performance and no country can fly its flag higher in foreign countries than at home.

The objective of our foreign publicity is to help create an international climate in which Pakistan can maintain its integrity and prosper in peace. For this purpose, we need friends who are interested in our security, integrity and prosperity.

We adhere closely to the United Nations on the basis of principles enunciated in its Charter for the purpose of securing, maintaining and providing international peace with justice.

The general purpose of foreign publicity is to create goodwill for Pakistan, to bring about an understanding of the ideals for which she stands foster and further friendly and cultural relations with foreign countries and to assist the Government in maintaining the right type of relations with them.

There is much that we can do but we have to adjust ourselves to circumstances. We had, therefore, to go through a process of intense thinking to rationalize the mechanics of our publicity which suffered in the past from a lack of a sense of direction and purpose. Clear, precise and continuous direction from headquarters is absolutely essential if the workers in the field are to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them at home.

On the long term basis, it is our endeavor that we should be able to produce in the language of all principal countries of the world an authentic book on Pakistan which should be available freely to the nationals of these countries so that the basic facts and the philosophy behind our Freedom Movement can be placed in the proper perspective.

These modest arrangements for foreign publicity have already achieved tangible results and it is no mere chance that the works of Allama lqbal, who conceived the idea of Pakistan, have already been translated into English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Arabic.

Pakistan, which appeared on the map only in 1947 as a new unfamiliar name, has today by God’s grace won for itself its rightful place in the comity of nations.

Publicity, as I said earlier, is no substitute for performance and it is in direct proportion to our hard work and sacrifices at home that our prestige abroad will grow and rise. The success of foreign publicity, therefore, depends on our performance at home.

All this has been made possible by our achievements at home and on account of the honest, hard work that is being done at all levels. There is no short cut to success in any field.

It is our dedication to the cause that will bring us credit, both at home and abroad. It is you and I who can help our nationals abroad to raise their heads high as dignified citizens of a free, progressive and forward looking society that is happily taking birth in Pakistan.