Choosing sides may hurt long term
Saudi kingdom and its Gulf allies have launched airstrikes which are likely to be followed by ground assault against Houthi fighters and army units in Yemen. The ongoing infighting in the country is a proxy war between the Saudi kingdom and Iran. The Saudi-Iran rivalry over establishing hegemony in the Gulf is in the long run bound to have consequences for the entire region.
There was speculation in Pakistan when Nawaz Sharif left for Saudi Arabia on an urgent call from the new monarch, leaving the country in the midst of a tense Senate election. The Saudi King had already met most of the Gulf rulers besides holding separate meetings with the Egyptian and Turkish presidents. There was a perception that the king wanted to enlist the support of all these countries against Iran and for jointly dealing with internal turmoil in the Gulf. The Saudi government has now involved a number of countries in its proxy war in Yemen. According to Saudi officials, ten Muslim countries have already joined hands with the kingdom.
There are disturbing reports in the international media regarding Pakistan being willing to participate in the Gulf-led military coalition and was also prepared to commit troops for a ground assault. FO spokesperson has confirmed Saudi request is being examined. Pakistan is already fighting an existential war. The operation in North Waziristan is yet to be concluded. The troops fighting in Tirah valley have suffered one of their heaviest casualties. After being defeated in FATA the TTP outfits are conducting attacks inside Pakistan while the COAS has vowed to hunt down terrorists in both the urban and rural areas. The army is also required to watch its eastern borders where exchange of fire along the LoC and working boundary has taken toll of several lives in recent month. Under the circumstances Pakistan must not allow itself to be sucked into what might turn out to be the Gulf quagmire. It must not burn its fingers in a fire ignited by others for their questionable ends.
The situation in Syria, Iraq, ….. and now Yemen is only going to spread more. We cannot remain on the sidelines for ever. We have more than enough military resources to enter now despite our internal situation.
Let's be an active influence in the region for once.
Islaam means PEACE. Peace comes by the practice of justice. What we see everywhere is that groups of people claiming to be Muslims are trying to enforce their injustices over the others, compelling them to pick up the gun and thus causing escalation of violence, deaths and destructions.
No one is Muslim if udl wul ehsaan is not in their deeds. Islaam means peace and every one who is Muslim promises Allah by reciting the Kalimah to bring peace everywhere. Are we true to Allah in our promise? No we are not. We claim to be Muslims whereas our deeds do not prove it to be so. The proof? Look at us, the Afghans, the Iraqis, the Syrians, the Libyans and now Yemenis. Where is it all going to end? Do we know? I know how it all can be ended. It will end only and only when we all will try to become Muslims. Muslims just like those Arabs who became Muslims 1400 years ago. They were winners and we are losers. What it means? They were Muslims and we are not.
Pakistan joining fighting in Yemen will be a foolish decision. Iran will be annoyed and can cause much problem on western border. This Soudi love will destroy Pakistan one day. Pakistan has enough problems of it's own to Fight for Soudis.
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