Pakistan should not be seen as a partisan to the conflict
Verbal offensive and proxy attacks between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been replaced by a bitter standoff. There are signs indicating that the confrontation may not remain confined to the diplomatic breakup alone. The unwise decision by Riyadh to execute a Saudi Shiite cleric whose only crime was that he supported democracy and the right for everyone to practise his faith, has led to protests in a number of countries starting with Iran where protesters attacked Saudi embassy. In Iraq a rocket was fired on the Kingdom’s embassy. Questions are being asked if the diplomatic war of words will boil over. Fears are also being expressed of something much more serious being in the offing.
To start with, the possibility of a diplomatic solution to Syrian crisis which many thought would be found in a few months has receded into distance beyond horizon. Iran and Saudi Arabia were already on opposite sides of conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain and Lebanon. There is a likelihood of their coming into direct conflict in Gulf countries like Iraq. In case this happens, it would provide an opportunity to the terrorist networks like Daesh to flourish.
Pakistan has a sizeable presence of the Shia community which is closely integrated in society and is duly represented in state institutions including judiciary, civil service and army. The execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has led to protests from the community in a number of cities in Pakistan. The protesters however remained peaceful and orderly. Pakistan has friendly relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran. It cannot afford to be seen as a partisan in the dispute. Becoming a part of the Saudi-led military alliance set up only weeks before the execution of Sheikh Nimr would be widely interpreted as supporting the Saudi government against Iran. The PML-N administration is required to play a balancing act. It has to discourage a proxy war in Pakistan. What is more, it should play the role of a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia.