Pakistan should only play a neutral role in their conflict
Riyadh has continued to ratchet up pressure for Pakistan’s increased military involvement in the Saudi-led alliance. During the last eleven days, three high ranking officials of the Kingdom have called upon the civil and military leadership, beginning with Assistant Defence Minister Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Ayish, followed by Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and finally Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As Pakistan politely told one official it was not in a position to go beyond limits that compromise its strategic interests, a higher dignitary was sent to press the demands.
Prince Mohammad came to Islamabad a day after Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had told an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that the Kingdom is looking at additional measures to be taken if Iran continued with its current policies. Prince Muhammad exchanged views with civil and military authorities on regional security and defence cooperation. He was assured that Pakistan would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom and fully respond to the threat in case Saudi Arabia’s integrity was endangered. Further that while Pakistan would continue the ongoing military cooperation, it was not possible for it to be a part of any adventure that compromised its strategic needs.
Both Saudi Arabia and Iran have to be advised to tread with caution. The Gulf states believe Iran wants to establish its hegemony by using the Shia population in the region. Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of supporting extremist groups to weaken neighbouring countries which do not accept its supremacy. To play the role of an honest broker, Pakistan has to be seen to be friendly towards both without being tilted towards either, Pakistan continues to pay heavily for Ziaul Haq’s entry into the Afghan jihad in the form of terrorist attacks that killed over 60 thousand civilians and military personnel. It must not in any way allow Saudi Arabia or Iran to play out their rivalries in Pakistan through proxies.
