Umer Farooq looks at Pakistan's relationships with the greater Islamic world. He argues that Pakistan needs to foster its relationships with some countries as compared to others in order to grow both economically and diplomatically.
One of the central pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy has remained its desire not to become party in the conflicts and tussles between Muslim countries. This has led Pakistan to host a Summit meeting of Muslim states in 1970s, compelled its military leaders’ attempt to act as a mediator between Iraq and Iran in their conflict in 1980s, again convinced Pakistani government and military leaders to make an attempt to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Hence Pakistan has always tried to maintain a neutral or conciliatory approach in the conflict between Muslim countries.
But the situation Pakistan is facing right now is a bit unique and demands a more out of the box approach, instead of acting as a timid conciliator—as Pakistan has always done in the past. The choice is between the role of a timid conciliator or to act as an energetic player in a brave new world.
This time Saudi Arabia seems to be upset with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s move to attend the Kaula Lumpur Summit, 2019—seen as an alternative to the Saudi backed Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Saudi Arabia has shared its negative feelings, with Pakistani leaders, towards the Kuala Lumpur summit hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohammad. This summit is likely to be attended by Turkey, Iran, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan. Three of these countries—Iran, Turkey and Qatar find themselves on the wrong side of Saudi Royal Family.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership seems to be running from pillar to post to assuage the apprehensions of Saudi Royals. Reportedly, Prime Minister Imran Khan dashed to Riyadh to convince the Saudi Royals that Pakistan would not do anything to jeopardize the interests of Saudi Arabia.
Army Chief General Bajwa dashed to UAE—another conservative monarchy in alliance with the Saudi Royals—to meet its leaders to convince them of Pakistan’s “innocence” related to Kuala Lumpur summit.
Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and UAE are important for a variety of reasons that include political, religious, economic and financial reasons. But our relations with the rest of the world should not be hostage to these relations.
Malaysia and Turkey are the two shinning stars of Muslim world as far as their economic performance is concerned and as far as their role in the globalized economic structures are concerned. They represent economic growth, financial discipline and inclusive politics as far as their local populations are concerned.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand is a country, which despite being the cradle of Islam, has never tasted the fruits inclusive politics. Apart from the power of petro-dollars, it has no economic strength and Pakistan can learn nothing from it as far as lessons about globalization or economic growth are concerned.
Turkey and Malaysia on the other hand, are glaring examples of growth of private enterprise and free market economies, growth of industry and global trade and commerce. Pakistan’s nascent economic systems can learn a lot from Turkey and Malaysia.
Another difference between Turkey and Malaysia on the one hand and Saudi Arabia and UAE on the other is that while the latter have no foreign policy except within the framework provided by their western friends like United States. Malaysia and Turkey are increasingly assertive in their roles to espouse the Muslim causes like Kashmir and Palestine around the world.
Would Pakistan’s decision to participate fully in the Kaula Lumpur summit mean that it would be choosing the path of economic growth and globalization? Would it also mean that Pakistan would opt for an independent foreign policy just like Turkey, Malaysia and Iran? Jumping to such conclusions would be too far-fetched. Pakistan’s foreign policy establishment is too conservative and this factor prevents us from making such a prediction. Besides the personal interests of those forming foreign policy establishment—Pakistani military and civil leaders are too closely linked with the American camp. Therefore, it seems impossible that Pakistan would follow the path of Iran, Turkey and Malaysia.
One of the central pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy has remained its desire not to become party in the conflicts and tussles between Muslim countries. This has led Pakistan to host a Summit meeting of Muslim states in 1970s, compelled its military leaders’ attempt to act as a mediator between Iraq and Iran in their conflict in 1980s, again convinced Pakistani government and military leaders to make an attempt to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Hence Pakistan has always tried to maintain a neutral or conciliatory approach in the conflict between Muslim countries.
But the situation Pakistan is facing right now is a bit unique and demands a more out of the box approach, instead of acting as a timid conciliator—as Pakistan has always done in the past. The choice is between the role of a timid conciliator or to act as an energetic player in a brave new world.
This time Saudi Arabia seems to be upset with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s move to attend the Kaula Lumpur Summit, 2019—seen as an alternative to the Saudi backed Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Saudi Arabia has shared its negative feelings, with Pakistani leaders, towards the Kuala Lumpur summit hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohammad. This summit is likely to be attended by Turkey, Iran, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan. Three of these countries—Iran, Turkey and Qatar find themselves on the wrong side of Saudi Royal Family.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership seems to be running from pillar to post to assuage the apprehensions of Saudi Royals. Reportedly, Prime Minister Imran Khan dashed to Riyadh to convince the Saudi Royals that Pakistan would not do anything to jeopardize the interests of Saudi Arabia.
Army Chief General Bajwa dashed to UAE—another conservative monarchy in alliance with the Saudi Royals—to meet its leaders to convince them of Pakistan’s “innocence” related to Kuala Lumpur summit.
Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and UAE are important for a variety of reasons that include political, religious, economic and financial reasons. But our relations with the rest of the world should not be hostage to these relations.
Malaysia and Turkey are the two shinning stars of Muslim world as far as their economic performance is concerned and as far as their role in the globalized economic structures are concerned. They represent economic growth, financial discipline and inclusive politics as far as their local populations are concerned.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand is a country, which despite being the cradle of Islam, has never tasted the fruits inclusive politics. Apart from the power of petro-dollars, it has no economic strength and Pakistan can learn nothing from it as far as lessons about globalization or economic growth are concerned.
Turkey and Malaysia on the other hand, are glaring examples of growth of private enterprise and free market economies, growth of industry and global trade and commerce. Pakistan’s nascent economic systems can learn a lot from Turkey and Malaysia.
Another difference between Turkey and Malaysia on the one hand and Saudi Arabia and UAE on the other is that while the latter have no foreign policy except within the framework provided by their western friends like United States. Malaysia and Turkey are increasingly assertive in their roles to espouse the Muslim causes like Kashmir and Palestine around the world.
Would Pakistan’s decision to participate fully in the Kaula Lumpur summit mean that it would be choosing the path of economic growth and globalization? Would it also mean that Pakistan would opt for an independent foreign policy just like Turkey, Malaysia and Iran? Jumping to such conclusions would be too far-fetched. Pakistan’s foreign policy establishment is too conservative and this factor prevents us from making such a prediction. Besides the personal interests of those forming foreign policy establishment—Pakistani military and civil leaders are too closely linked with the American camp. Therefore, it seems impossible that Pakistan would follow the path of Iran, Turkey and Malaysia.