Pakistan’s Arab Diplomatic Crossroads
Ishtiaq Ahmed
London: Pakistan’s foreign policy interests are intrinsically linked to the Arab-Muslim world. There are many aspects to this.
Having a shared religious affiliation is an important thread, but is this a sufficient anchor to construct a foreign policy paradigm in rapidly changing world political and power scenarios?
The most pertinent question seems to be whether Pakistan can design and implement its foreign policy with a degree of independence and confidence.
The obvious answer has to be ‘No’, given a number of internal and external pressure points. Internally, Pakistan is beset by a crippled economy, rising costs, mounting debts, political strife, and the ever-present threat of terrorist activities.
The downtrend in the economy makes Pakistan dependent on bailouts, which do not come without stringent conditions; a case in point is the IMF.
Recently, Saudi Arabia deposited $2 billion into Pakistan’s central bank, a much-needed financial boost for a cash-strapped country. These substantial handouts should not be assumed to be unconditional; the one who pays the piper calls the tune.
Pakistan is heavily reliant on the Arab world for its economic survival. It has extensive trade ties with Arab League states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Saudi Arabia ranking as Pakistan’s second-largest trading partner after the United States.
It is a lucrative market for its exports while offering employment opportunities for the millions of Pakistani workers unable to find meaningful paid employment at home. Places like Dubai are also havens for the rich and powerful, who take exception to their escapes and comforts being disturbed.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/us-factor-in-pak-iran-relations/
With Pakistan’s membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the situation becomes even more complex with a number of competing scenarios. The OIC was established in 1969 following the arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.
Over the years, the membership of this second-largest international forum after the UN has grown from 30 to 57, with almost all notable Muslim states in its fold. Pakistan is the OIC’s second-largest member in terms of population and the only country with nuclear capacity.
However, Pakistan’s journey in the OIC has not always been plain sailing. This came to ahead when the UAE invited India’s foreign ministers to an OIC summit. Pakistan objected to the invitation, citing the Kashmir issue and India’s violation of Pakistan’s airspace.
Despite the OIC condemning India’s action, the UAE did not withdraw its invitation. Here lie the inherent difficulties as member states pursue their national interest agendas, often in contradiction of the collective resolve.
Since the inception of the OIC, the Muslim world has changed without recognition, which involved the illegal occupation of Afghanistan, the Gulf War, the dismantling of Libya, Iraq, and Syria, and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
While the longstanding issues of Kashmir and Palestine remain unresolved, the grips of the oppressors’ have tightened with ethnic cleansing in Kashmir and genocide in Palestine.
In many respects, Pakistan, even half-heartedly, has to go along with the OIC narrative to avoid the risk of being isolated. Already, Pakistan’s integrity because of its situation on the domestic front is at a low ebb while its dependency on the member states continues to grow.
In the context of Pakistan-Arab world relations, managing the Palestine issue is very important. In many ways, it is a litmus test for Pakistan’s resolve on Palestine while maintaining its wider interests.
Historically, Pakistan has called for a two-state resolution and has refused to accept the legitimacy of Israel until that is achieved. However, Pakistan was also closely monitoring Saudi Arabia’s pre-Gaza efforts to normalize relations with Israel.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/the-gaza-conundrum-unraveling-the-complex-dynamics-of-regional-conflict/
It is worth noting that countries like Turkey already have extensive trade deals with Israel. However, Pakistan’s position is made difficult by political and economic instability at home, the need not to fall on the wrong side of the pro-Palestine hardliners, and the need not to alienate two of its principal allies and paymasters, namely America and Saudi Arabia.
Also, Iran and Afghanistan have clear positions on Palestine, and they would be closely watching. Thus, Pakistan needs to avoid potential friction with two of its important neighbors.
More importantly, Pakistan’s new government would be expected by the powerful establishment of the country to toe its line.
Here, the American interests would come into play. After all, the US has set its stall firmly in many of the Muslim countries and is keen to protect its interests in Pakistan and elsewhere.
It is already feeling threatened by the close Pakistan-China ties and the new government’s desire to cultivate bilateral relations with Iran and Afghanistan. In terms of the foreign policy jigsaw, Pakistan is delicately poised, and the hawks are attentively watching.
The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.
The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.
The basic objective in devising foreign policy must entail to protect, promote and sustain the interests, respect and independence of the state. Unfortunately, Pakistan has failed in achieving this fundamental objective in her foreign policy up to now. Her too much reliance and dependence for too long on the USA and other western countries and failure to priorties fostering good relations with her neighbours including China and Russia Pakistan was osterscised by the Eastern block for four decades. Still her foreign relations with America are not conducted on parity basis but rather like an enslaved nation. Her foreign policy on Kashmir has been nothing more than wishful thinking and total rliance on the impotent organisation like the UNO. The Arab world no longer takes cognizance of shared faith. Most Arab countries, although, being close to America and Israel are extending their mutual trade to India and China. Saudi Arabian, a leading Arab nation’s foreign policy is being radically changed and even she was going to recognise Israel if the present conflict had not started. Iran seems inclined to woe America her staunch enemy gradully becoming friend. Pakistan cordial relations with Saudi Arabia which often are used to bail out her of financial difficulties are not simply because of both sharing the same faith and policy of religious conservatism but Pakistan has paid too high a price for this relationship. For 40 long years Pakistan has suffered financially, politically and perpetual terrorism and social instability due to proxy wars fought on her soil between Saudi Arabia and Iran. So it is not always wise and appropriate to prefer building of foreign relations with those countries who have shared religious and cultural commonalities. In the modern world, trade, mutual interests, respect of each other sovvereignity and the proximity of neighbour.
Additionally, foreign relations can used positively to promote international peace and social justice and equality on all fronts. In the light of the changing global, poltical, social and economic scenarios Pakistan has also to compete with the world community, review and renew her foreign policy without wasting any more time.
Eloquently and concisely put. This should be read by everyone tasked with foreign policy remit.