Daily Times

There are many questions to answer that why Muslim states led by Saudi Arabia are having 41 nation pan Islamic military alliance. Why Saudi Arabia is leading it, either for fulfilling its personal geo political goals or it is really thinking that Muslim’s image globally is tarnished and we have to correct our collect repute. Why it has excluded Iran , Iraq and Syria who are regional competitors of Saudi Arabia and Qatar did not send its representative because of diplomatic standoff between Doha and Arab States.

So is it just for friends of Saudi Arabia and Arab states and not for its competitors. If this is impression then it may not have good image about its credibility. Although former Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif who commands the military section of this alliance has tried to make it clear that this alliance is not against any state or sect but to fight elements which are disturbing international peace. Question arises that what Pakistan will get out of this alliance, would it be liability for Pakistan or will it enhance Pakistan’s profile in Islamic world particular and world and world at large.

Four points which are core values in this alliance are countering radicalism extremism, capacity building of alliance members, countering terrorist financing and enhancing communication among member states.

Radical extremism is serious challenge and the majority of Muslim youth been targeted by it. Arab states have funded billions of dollars throughout the Muslim world in seminaries and think tanks to build favourable opinions about their sect. It backfired in the shape of many terrorist organisations and challenged many states like Pakistan. Now the chickens have come home to roost and the Arabs want to clean up the mess they created. A strategic counter narrative is required to bring the youth on board regarding which political system is better for Muslims and how states need to take youth on board in terms of making them understand the dynamics of coexistence. Muslim nations must address their public and make it understood that calling other Muslim sects heretics and other non-Muslims infidels is not appropriate or acceptable.

Capacity building is an important aspect of this alliance as many Muslim states do not have the capability to fight non states actors because of not being exposed to them in the past. Pakistan is the only country among all the countries in the alliance which has fought against terrorism successfully and has extensive experience in dealing with non state actors.

The Pakistan army has launched many operations inside Pakistani territory in difficult terrain where normally conventional militaries don’t win many battles. NATO in next door Afghanistan failed to bring peace and even today, 45 percent of Afghan territory is controlled by the Taliban whereas Pakistan has same terrain but cleared terrorist hideouts from FATA. Now Pakistan can contribute a lot in this and this will bring huge revenue for Pakistan. Many western states are requesting Pakistan to train their forces for fighting terrorism. This will enhance Pakistan’s profile among Muslim states and by this forum Pakistan would be able enough to make Muslim armies understand their military doctrine that can jell us with many states whom with we have been at distance in past.

Terrorist financing is a serious challenge that Muslim states have been facing. Entire regimes regarding financial matters would have to be changed to counter this issue. Muslim states have made changes in financial regimes as per international compulsions. There needs to be counter terror financing regimes to monitor flow of Zakat and other money flow into charities which can actually stop terror financing. Those who have been excluded from this alliance how they will be managed in shaping and erecting terror financing regimes. Pakistan is example which has changed its laws regarding non-governmental organisations so that state could have strict monitoring of inflow of money being used inside country. This military alliance may help Muslim states for strict monitoring and proper check and balance of financing so that terrorist may not use our money and people not to give money to proscribed organisations.

Arab states have funnelled billions of dollars throughout the Muslim world to fund seminaries and think tanks that help them influence public opinion and build favourable sentiments for their sect

Communication is serious challenge even European Union does not share complete information with each other of its citizens and sensitive information. What if terrorist incidents occur in Syria, Iraq and Iran will there be communication and how this alliance will help these states as they are not part of it but they are fighting with terrorist organisations? Crown Prince Salman talks of coordination and then excludes states who are facing terrorism, hope other Muslim states might have asked logic behind this? So it will be challenge for Muslim states that how

Communication among forty one states will benefit and control terrorist organisations. States do not trust other states in sharing information which is personal and may harm national interest.

Primarily it seems this alliance is for expansion of Saudi political influence in region and to show the west that all Islamic states show loyalty to it. Its manifestation was properly visible when Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia on his first visit to region and entire Muslims leadership on Saudi call was there. One thing is sure that western assurances for Arab world have reduced or have been shaky which forced them to make Islamic military alliance. The way west is opening up to Iran after nuclear deal its dangerous for Arab world’s political ambitions and national securities and that is why Saudi Arabia is opening up to Israel and in return Israel is showing concern to engage with moderate Arab regimes. What will be fate of Palestine cause should be left history to decide it.

Pakistan will have to play its cards carefully in this strategic calculus and would have to have deft diplomacy to dispel impression that we are not against any Muslim state as a result of being in this alliance. Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa recently visited Iran and took Iranians on board and tried his best to have stronger partnership with Iran looking at changing regional dynamics.

It’s the right time when alliances are shifting Pakistan must rethink its foreign policy objectives and priorities. Islamic military alliance must not handicap Pakistan’s potential and state must not bargain on anything low, we have poor record of bargaining in times when others need us. This alliance will also help Pakistan to sell its victimisation story that how we have faced and fought menace of terrorism. World hardly recognises Pakistan’s version the way we have lost in war against terror and yet we are considered agent of chaos.

The writer is is Strategic and Political analyst. He teaches international politics in NUML Islamabad

Published in Daily Times, December 4^th 2017.