The Iran–US–Israel Conflict and Pakistan!
Ishtiaq Ahmed
Bradford: For Pakistanis living both inside and outside Pakistan, Pakistan’s position on this issue appears somewhat ambiguous. Many important questions are circulating in people’s minds, and there is strong curiosity to know their answers.
For example: Is Pakistan standing with Iran and opposing the illegal war on Iran by the United States and Israel ? If that is the case, then why is Pakistan’s leadership not openly condemning the United States and Israel?
On the other hand, if Pakistan supports the American or Israeli position, then why does it avoid adopting a clear and explicit policy?
Many other questions of this nature are also creating unease in the minds of Pakistanis, home and abroad.
There may be several possible reasons behind Pakistan’s ambiguous policy:
First: Pakistan’s economy is currently weak, and the country is burdened by loans from the IMF. In this situation, it is in great need of the support and cooperation of the United States.
This reality places Pakistan in a position of dependence on the United States, from which it is not easy to distance itself.
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Moreover, because of the unpredictable and unpredictable mindset of Donald Trump, there is always the concern that he could adopt an adverse stance toward Pakistan at any time. Therefore, Pakistan tries not to antagonise him .
Pakistan’s proposal to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and other diplomatic gestures can be viewed in this context. Similarly, discussions in certain circles about recognising Israel or participation in international Trump’s ‘ Peace Board ‘ can also be interpreted as diplomatic efforts to keep him satisfied.
Pakistan is also aware that India is always looking for opportunities, and if distance were to emerge between Pakistan and the United States, India would be ready to fill that gap, which could create further difficulties for Pakistan.
Second: Pakistan’s close allies, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, are generally considered allies of the United States. For several reasons, Pakistan does not wish to go against their positions, especially that of Saudi Arabia, which has often provided financial assistance to Pakistan during difficult times.
In addition, millions of Pakistanis are employed in these countries, and the remittances they send back are extremely important for Pakistan’s economy. If, for any reason, these workers were to return home, Pakistan could face an even deeper economic crisis.
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Third: On the other hand, Iran is an important neighboring country and one of the major states in the Muslim world. Pakistan and Iran share long-standing economic, religious, and cultural ties; therefore, Pakistan cannot openly oppose Iran either.
Furthermore, Pakistan has a significant population belonging to the Shia sect, whose religious and intellectual connections with Iran are often acknowledged.
If Pakistan were to take an openly hostile stance against Iran, it could increase religious tensions and sectarian divisions within the country, which would be harmful to an already fragile national cohesion.
Fourth: Pakistan also wishes to maintain its long-standing friendship with China. China is an important partner in Pakistan’s economic development and infrastructure projects, so Pakistan cannot afford to alienate it. Moreover, as a neighboring superpower, China has a highly significant strategic role in the region, one that cannot be ignored.
These and many other factors have contributed to making Pakistan’s policy on this issue somewhat cautious and ambiguous.
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.
As the author of the article rightly points out that since Pakistan’s economice survival depends on America and Saudi Arabia, its policy on ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran will remain ambiguous. But the war which started just over a week ago has already escalated to engulf the whole region .Available evidence suggests that it will prolong and may stretch out to cover the whole world. Therefore, Pakistan will have to, sooner than later, provide clarity on its foreign policy about the war despite the fact it is surrounded in precarious position. The dilemma is real but is of its own making. Pakistan’s foreign policy for many decades has been openly slanted in favour of America and successive governments, willingly and unwillingly, compromised Pakistan’s national integrity and sovereignty. This kind of servile and subservient policy of successive governments of Pakistan deprived the country of its political and economic independence.
Hence, the ambiguity and uncertainty in deciding now whether to support the offenders or the defender. However, time is running out for the government, despite economic and political considerations to tell the people of the country when and how the government will overcome this predicament of uncertainty because there is no choice for the economically weak nations to remain neutral.