As attention strays to other matters, can we talk about the Saudi-led Military Alliance?
“In the midst of all this, Pakistan’s issues regarding its foreign and defence policy do not allow it to take such drastic steps, essentially when Afghanistan and India both have been engaging Pakistan at the Eastern and Western fronts.”
The regional scenario of Pakistan is not just limited to its own lines of ‘South Asia’ (though it certainly is chalked down to such geographical boundaries) it is affected and shaped by the continuous policies and changes in the neighbouring areas-which subsequently affect Pakistan’s position and stance in international relations. Whilst, the common approach narrated simply is of staying neutral during conflicts, Pakistan’s decision of appointing General Raheel Sharif as head of a Saudi-led Military Alliance, including 41 Islamic countries can clearly be compared with the divided fault lines we have been seeing in the Islamic world.
Since Pakistan has been predominantly trying to form a notion and a narrative of not engaging in any sort of interventionist or controversial stance, its appointment of General Raheel Sharif is a decision that is reiterating the mistakes and actions of the past. Siding with Saudi Arabia in a unified military action requires some serious or pretty basic questions to be answered or at the very least highlighted. Though the alliance aims to target the terrorist activities, by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and other radical activities in the region, but viewing most of its member states-the membership points to a major fact-of not having any Shia dominated state (Iran, Iraq, Syria) in the coalition. Since, the coalition was announced by Saudi Arabia, the initial criticism followed, targeted the approach of Saudi policies that concerns Iran. According to IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency), Iran informed Pakistan about its concerns regarding the coalition, and Pakistan’s decision to join it. It further stated that it already had informed Pakistan that neither would it become part of any such alliance nor was any offer of the sort extended to it. In the midst, of this Pakistan’s decision to appoint General Raheel Sharif is baffling and shows a clear failure of foreign policy-and not having a foreign minister.
Moreover, it also shows the approach that is taken by the present government. PML-N’s inclination towards Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States comes as no surprise. Even in 2015, Pakistan-through much debate and consensus chose not to involve itself in the Yemen crisis. The coalition also includes a 5000 force of Pakistan army, which would be posted to guard the Saudi border with Yemen. The precarious nature of affairs that is much debilitating in the Middle East requires some practical approach, not siding with one state or faction. The Saudi led coalition is not a mere alliance of Islamic nations, but rather it brings its own faction of Islam, and also its own brand of politics. What we so often, tend to forget is the fact of forging alliances that neither help us in our domestic issues nor are relevant to the stances that we ought to take in the international politics.
Pakistan’s own version of its war against terrorism has stemmed from the policies that the state has devised in the past decades-which consequently, have not only reduced Pakistan’s reputation in the international community, but also have contributed in developing and instigating terrorism in the form of religious intolerance or sectarian violence. This step would also agitate the many elements that provide for the friction between the sectarian units of the state. The issues and lacunas seen in Pakistan’s foreign policy do not point out to the initiation of such ventures. The issues within Pakistan already hold a significant tension that requires proper planning and minimum risks that involve a consensus before taking such controversial decisions.
However, the Saudi led alliance is also being dubbed as the Muslim NATO. But to what extend can the claim be made? Furthermore, how can the threat be, verified for the alliance to act? NATO’s position in the present day world is subjected to funding. Saudi Arabia is pouring in money to set the coalition. And whilst, viewing the successes of the organization, nothing much can be said for it, in act of appreciation. In a blurred context, the position of ISIL in Syria, the areas under its control and its eradication-the main purpose of the coalition-clearly includes, the factors of the civil war, the inclusion and the interventionist element of the foreign powers (US, Russia and Iran). Thus, to only form an alliance of this sort shows how deep, animosity runs within the politics of sectarianism.
Thus, in the past years, Pakistan and its foreign policy have embarked on some serious decisions, out of which, the present one is highly controversial. Due to the Saudi-Iran rivalry, and Pakistan’s own issues with terrorism and sectarianism, heading an alliance comes as a sign that concerns Iran and also the regional balance and the cord it would strike. The situation of Middle East is fractured, and the fault lines created, further segregate it from the world and also from inner peace. They have purported turmoil, and the alliance too would not help mitigate it. Since US has urged the Muslim nations to increase in the efforts to combat ISIL, the step derives a series of further violence and agitation which would add to the deteriorating regional balance.
In the midst of all this, Pakistan’s issues regarding its foreign and defence policy do not allow it to take such drastic steps, essentially when Afghanistan and India both have been engaging Pakistan at the Eastern and Western fronts. Thus, the notion that is being presented to fight and combat terrorism, clearly shows how such ventures in the past have not only gone on to add to radicalism, we face today. But have also added to the sectarian divide and intolerance in the society. The decisions regarding foreign policy have serious implications in the domestic sphere, especially when a certain mindset is being promoted. Pakistan and its narrative of remaining aloof in the past few months, eventually has done nothing to hinder such steps. The failures in our foreign policy also highlight, how participation in an alliance that includes predominantly conservative Muslim states would help avoid the shards of sectarianism scattered in the Middle East and also how Pakistan and the coalition, both would remain neutral to counter the radical activities.
