Islamabad to GULF: Neutral or Vague?

Pakistan vote is not for Yemen, it’s the devotedness for sanctitude Kingdom of Saudia Arabia (KSA). With reference to the resolution passed last week in Pakistan Parliament, Pakistan has serious concerns over the Houthi led Yemen and disastrous situation after Saudi attack on same. Saudi led coalition which is comprises of Sudan, Morroco, Egypt and Jordan have intervened and launch airstrikes targeting the Houthis on request of President Hadi in March 2015. In this similar intervention Saudi Government sought Pakistan support in form of their warships, aircrafts, and ground troops. But Pakistan showed their neutrality towards the Yemen Conflict.

Pakistan is a Sunni Majority Islamic State have good strategic and defense ties with KSA, it is the one of the important Islamic states out of the Middle East who has the most capable military men, active nuclear weapons with large number of military arms. Also, Pakistan provided the military training to Saudia Armed Forces in recent years; moreover, Riyadh has also been the one of the largest funding source of financial assistance for the fragile Pakistani Government. In 1990 Pakistan joined International Forces to defend Saudia from Iraqi aggression and protected Holy sites of KSA. Which shows that Pakistan’s government and its military is ready to guard Saudia Arabia’s territorial integrity in case of any conflict arise in future as well. Not only this one of the opposition political party Pakistan Tehrik e Insaaf (PTI) also showed their commitment towards same by forgetting their own political antagonism with National Government (i.e Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz – PMLN), their views are identical that Pakistan have brotherly ties with Saudia and Iran and we won’t be disturbing our Islamic and Diplomatic Relations with any of the one which in return brings war inside the Pakistan.

The Yemen Crisis wasn’t sectarian while it revolves around the opposition of AlQaeda in Peninsula (AQAP) from Houthis and President Hadi, this picture further worsens the situation when in late 2014 the emergence of Islamic State in Yemen eclipsed AQAP and claimed various suicide bombing is the San’aa the largest city of Yemen. AQAP is the dangerous branch of Al Qaeda in the eyes of Western Intelligence, United States (US) has also been launched their operations in Yemen against Houthis and AQAP with the cooperation of President Hadi. John Kerry Secretary of states also confirmed that Tehran is supporting Houthis and US will not stop their support to President Hadi against Houthis Rebels. Houthis are only minorities and cannot be acceptable for ruling the majority of Yemen which is Sunni. The Houthis and President Hadi conflict is also representing the conflict between Shia ruled Iran and Sunni ruled Saudia. While Iran has been accused many times, but they always denied their involvement in insurgencies of Yemen.

At this fragile need of time, Pakistan Government, all political parties, lawmakers and nation itself have a wise approach that Pakistan is fighting a sectarian war and cannot afford to indulge in this war against Shia Houthi Rebels which may affect the Sects living with in Pakistan. So far thousands of Pakistanis were evacuated safely when the Saudi airstrikes intensified in the San’aa City of Yemen. Few Chinese, Europeans and Indians were also among those passengers who were being brought to Pakistan in evacuation process.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shareef summoned different high-level meetings with parliamentarians and military officials of Pakistan with resulting to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Government like brothers when it comes to defend the territorial integrity of KSA and not only this but also Pakistan Government and whole nation showed consensus to fight for Muslim Ummah’ wherever the conflict it will be.

The decision which was made by the resolution pass in Pakistan Parliament hurt the Gulf States including United Arab Emirates as Dr. Anwar M. Gargash, Minister State of Foreign affair said that the contradictory stand by Pakistan for Arabs shows that Arab’s security is the core responsibility of Arabs themselves. Dr. Gargash also stated that by this Pakistan took side of Iran and it seems that Tehran is more important to Islamabad than the Gulf Countries, all those political commitments, economic investment goes in vain when the time came to give support to Arabs. He also added that Pakistan needs to re consider their notion towards the strategic allies of six-nation Arab Gulf Cooperation Council. He named the special given support to KSA by Pakistan as a contradictory support and mentioned that two million national/Pakistani Citizen works in Gulf Countries economically funding Pakistanis in form of wages. In response to such warnings and feedback Pakistani Lawmakers insisted the Gulf authorities to respect the decision of Pakistan Parliament because it’s the voice of Pakistan. Adding up all this when recently advisor in Saudia Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs Mr. AbdulAziz bin Abdullah al-Ammar expressed that UAE has the right to be dismayed and if Pakistan won’t take a decision will representing themselves as bystander. He said Pakistan is big country in Islamic and important state. Insisting on reconciliation is helping the large amount to be unjust. Also, Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri, spokesman of Saudi led coalition forces said that absence of Pakistan won’t affect their military operation. In short, he said Saudi led Coalition doesn’t need Pakistan in military terms; if it joins it will be just an addition to similar coalition.

In response to Mr. Gargash statements Ch. Nisar Interior Minister, Pakistan expressed that it’s a thoughtful moment for every state to consider their actions and statements, which directly pointed out the UAE Minister statement which goes against the diplomatic norms and irony is this that these were threats to Islamabad more than statements.

As Mr. Gargash said that Saudi led coalition is just Restoring Regional Security and Stability but which contrary to his views it is deteriorating the Yemen Civilians and the lands, in form of killings and attacks. Yemen once was supporting these Saudi led air strikes against Iran linked Houthi rebels, but it exchanges with the civilian causalities mount and extensive economic infrastructure is destroyed, the number of deaths and wounded were in thousands. The hurting thing here is that Yemenis hated Houthis, but they never destructed properties and killed the innocents like as its being done by these airstrikes and foreign aid blockade all over Yemen. Houthis admits the provision of arms was from Iran, but they used it against the corrupt government of Yemen.

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban K Moon also opposed the Saudi led attacks on civilians; he reminded them the obligations under the international law for the protection of civilians and called them to return to the UN negotiations.

Iran top diplomats also met Pakistan’s Prime Minister to push the peach talk process in Yemen Crisis. Mohammed Javaid Zarif who is the Foreign Minister of Iran said to PM Nawaz Sharif that Peace Process should be initiate at earliest, and they are ready for the dialogues with Yemeni Government for the broad-based political stability in Yemen. He said that political solution is in hands of Yemenis and asked Pakistan Government to emphasize on cease fire for the humanitarian assistance in the conflicted region.

The misinterpretations lead GULF to state against Pakistan, which is goes in favor because Pakistan is with the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia and strong response from Pakistan will be provoked in case of any insurgency against the Saudia or Holy Mosques of Saudia. Pakistan felt it as an insult by UAE minister statements which do not threaten Pakistan at all if it was intended to. Pakistan is home of Sunni, but Shiite Muslims have all rights in Pakistan. Taking one’s side will not only fuel the grievances but also the terrorist attacks which Pakistan and its army is already fighting against it. Pakistan history is a proven record that they never abandon their friends when their security is under threat.

 Saudia Arabia’s long-term safety is the core pillar of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy and Pakistan is the country which has brotherly emotions will all Muslims and Humanity all over the world and it is unquestionable. Pakistan is agreed only to play as mediating role which only results to resolute the conflict rather enhancing it by war and killings of civilians who have nothing to with Houthis. Also, Pakistan is neighbored by gas rich country Iran which will be helpful in chronic energy shortages in Pakistan.

Pakistan declines only the combat role which does not show that they are not with GULF or Arab Countries. It was just the campaign on social media or rumor that Pakistan has any military involvement in Saudi led operation in Yemen, also Pakistan officials and diplomats called UN and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to hold peace dialogues for resolving this rising conflict towards deadliest war. Pakistan is a country of reputation known as having most legendary army of the Islamic states and world, which is not only fighting within the country but also have a heavy presence in northwest against Taliban’s and at the border with the arch conflicting India.

The vote of Pakistan Parliament whilst explaining their role towards Yemen conflict is not binding, but it is broadening the spectrum to create political resolutions within the region of Yemen. By refusing to take part or contribute in this decisive storm doesn’t result by giving heavy prize to anyone rather it shows the harmonious and peace broker role in Islamic Countries, Forging the way ahead with Iran and Turkey, Pakistan also seeks support in the peaceful decisions instead of putting it in a vague situation to decide its favorable stance towards any of the country.

Hira A. Siddiqi