Pakistan has no role in Gulf standoff
There are economic compulsions that require maintenance of good relations with the Gulf countries. The largest number of Pakistani expatriates are employed in the Gulf (3,682,544). Pakistan also receives the largest amount of remittances from the Gulf (SA $4.52b, UAE $3.47b, Qatar $302m). Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also two of Pakistan’s major trading partners. On the other hand the Gulf countries too owe a lot to Pakistan. PIA trained UAE’s flagship airline Emirates. In fact the first flight the Emirates took was from Dubai to Karachi in 1985. Pakistani workers, engineers and doctors have helped build the Gulf as it is today. Pakistani pilots played a vital role in safeguarding the Arab territories in 1967 and 1973 wars. Pakistan’s soldiers help maintain security in Saudi Arabia today. But Pakistan plays no role in reconciliation in the Gulf.
What has created complications is Nawaz Sharif’s personalised diplomacy, particularly vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia. Saudis brokered a deal for him in 2000 with Musharraf and took him along with 18 members of his family who enjoyed Saudi hospitality till 2007. Personal indebtedness led Nawaz Sharif to join the Saudi military alliance in reckless haste despite its aims and objects being still a mystery. The government allowed former COAS Raheel Sharif to be a part of the Saudi sectarian venture.
Sharif family had business relations with those in power in Qatar. Nawaz Sharif relies heavily upon the testimony of former Qatari PM Hamad bin Jasim in the ongoing corruption investigation. But the Qatari leader has been declared an enemy by the Saudi government which accuses him of conspiring to physically divide Saudi Arabia.
Personalised relations might have benefited Nawaz family but these have turned into a bane for Pakistan. Pakistan’s Prime Minister was humiliated at the Arab Islamic Conference addressed by Trump. During his recent brief visit to Jeddah he was summarily dismissed by the Saudi King after having been asked, “Whose side are you on?” While Kuwait, Turkey and India are playing a role in the Gulf standoff, Pakistan sits idle with its hands tied.
Foreign relations are never static but are dynamaic. They evolove en route.Pakistan is economically a slave of the Arabs and politically we have no clout since we don’t understand the arab mind. Personal relations count for nothing. It is amazing to see how Pakistan,s fpreign Office functions without a Foreign minister. Every time a mini crisis occurs in the middel east Our PM is in the air trying to apply the proverbial balm. He takes the COAS along too. His so called diplomacy Counts for nothing other than earning a snub here and there. The PM Places himself between a rock and a hard surface when he tries to practice diplomacy for which he is ill equipped. After all he is also the chief executive of Pakistan. His words count on the spot. He needs time to consult before he speaks his mind. There is no time. Having a experienced Foreign Minister is the crying need of the hour. Why not appoint one w.e.F. The PM is entangled at home fighting a battle to survive. He cannot fight at two fronts and seek publicity. It reminds me of a quote from the former secretary of state Henry Kissinger “Every time a chicken lays an egg the Third world leaders come on the TV to annouce it” The sight of Our PM flying away to the middel east to “mediate” reminds me of this.
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