Daily Times

Relations with both KSA and Iran have immense importance for us in Pakistan. Iran was one of the first countries to recognise Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is the most sacred place for the Muslims because among others, there are two most important holy sites in the country. The two countries have long been helping Pakistan in the hour of need. Keeping them close and maintaining strong acquaintance concurrently is getting a tougher task now as both have intensified the campaigns to tarnish each other’s image. This can be described in terms of instances in Yemen, Syria, Libya, Palestine and other parts of the world.

The rulers of KSA are even ready to form an alliance with Israel when it comes to isolating Iran. They have already formed a number of alliances with America to further their influence against Iran. Israel’s Army Chief Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot affirmed that he was ready to cooperate with KSA to curtail the sway of Iran in the region. The general stated that he was ready to exchange intelligence information with KSA and other ‘moderate’ Arab nations. He also stated that KSA and Israel had a lot of common interests.

This is a bit shaky for the Muslim world and an authentication of the fact that KSA and Iran will remain hostile to each other. Pakistan needs to ensure that it keeps on finding balance amid the tussle going on between KSA and Iran.

The rulers of KSA are even ready to form an alliance with Israel when it comes to isolating Iran. They have already formed a number of alliances with America to further their influence against Iran

Muslim nations are unfortunately divided today. Iran is leading one side while KSA another. Before Iranian Revolution in 1989, it was in good books of western powers including USA. After the revolution things underwent a major change. It was an Islamic revolution that toppled the prevalent regime of Shah of Iran Reza Pehlavi. KSA, on the other side, remained close ally of the US — an unyielding and blind patron of Israel.

So Pakistan, consisting of about 80 per cent of Sunnis and 20 per cent of Shias and others, has only two options — to either stay away from this conflict or join one of the sides. The latter option is quite perilous and Pakistan is under pressure by both the countries to pick a position. KSA is forcing Pakistan to form alliance with it and curtail relations with Iran. The supposed denunciation from Pakistan seems to be the foremost rationale for giving Narendra Modi the red carpet treatment in Saudi Arabia. India and KSA also formed a number of unexpected pacts including intelligence information sharing.

On the other side, Iran is not happy with Pakistan either and has raised objections on accepting the leadership of 41-nation Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). Iran believes that it has been formed against it. General (r) Raheel Sharif is heading this alliance. He has clarified that it was not formed against any country but its purpose is to eradicate the menace of terrorism. Iran is also cooperating with India majorly for the construction of its Chabahar Port neighbouring Balochistan.

There are slim chances of the situation getting better anytime soon. Therefore, Pakistan should find the balance with its relations with both these leading countries of the Muslim world. Both of them have been protecting their interests, and it is time for Pakistan to protect its own. Instead of indulging into internal stifle, it is better to have a dexterous and striking team of foreign affairs led by the foreign minister. Pakistan’s ties with both Iran and Saudi Arabia hold importance as the two countries supported us on different occasions.

The writer is a professional writer and political commentator. He can be contacted @junaidalimalik1 or junaidalimalik3@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, December 22^nd 2017.