THE region has taken a new turn.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a defence agreement. This development has reinforced Pakistan’s role as a strong military power, enabling it, after this renewed introduction, to consolidate its position as an international player. This also means that the world is not only acknowledging how Pakistan defeated its rival during the brief Pakistan-India war in May but is also anticipating its growing regional and global role. After a long time, Pakistan has emerged so prominently on the global stage.
Are the hopes associated with Pakistan’s potential new role realistic? The answer is not simple. It is a fact that no country can play a global role unless its domestic situation is stable and the government faces no significant threats from the opposition. It is undeniable that, despite having widespread public support, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has not posed a real challenge to the government. Even though the party and its founder enjoy popular backing, for various reasons, they have remained largely ineffective.
The main reason is that PTI has failed to draw a clear line between opposing the government and opposing the state. Whenever the country attempted any economic stabilization measures, the party actively tried to sabotage them. The May 9 incident, according to Indian analysts themselves, caused Pakistan far more damage than India could have ever managed. Another failure of the party is its inability to align with public sentiment in condemning Israeli attacks on Gaza, Iran and Qatar. The question is whether this is due to PTI’s ideological stance, its overseas ideological allies, or other factors. Pakistani citizens are increasingly thinking along these lines, which is not favorable for PTI.
During the May Pakistan-India war, PTI leaders like Umar Ayub adopted a stance that allowed their opponents to claim it was a deliberate attempt to demoralize the nation. Now, as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sign a historic defence agreement, any criticism by PTI must be viewed against this backdrop, which is unlikely to benefit the party. In fact, PTI’s supporters on social media have reacted in ways more in line with Indian sentiment than Pakistani temperament, causing irreparable damage to their party. In this context, the government faces no real challenge from PTI.
The agreement is also likely to bring economic benefits to Pakistan, which will make governance easier. Reports indicate that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will soon visit Pakistan, initiating $2 billion in investments, with potential for further increases. If the government succeeds in easing public economic burdens and providing significant relief in electricity and other essentials, it will face no major obstacles to internal political stability. This forms a solid foundation for the success of the Pakistan-Saudi defence agreement.
The next question is whether the agreement will face challenges in the Islamic world. Some voices fear that neighboring Iran or Yemen could feel uneasy. However, it should be noted that Iran-Saudi relations are no longer as antagonistic as in the past. Moreover, Saudi Arabia consulted Iran at the highest level—foreign minister level—before the agreement. Pakistan’s relations, meanwhile, are even more positive. During the recent Iran-Israel conflict, Pakistan stood behind Iran, for which the Iranian president personally thanked Pakistan. This context weakens Iran’s potential objections, particularly since the agreement is explicitly not directed against any third country. The question of Iran’s hostility does not arise. Similarly, Yemen is unlikely to feel threatened, given Pakistan’s past conduct and the clarifications by both countries regarding the agreement.
So, what does this agreement signify? It is recognition of Pakistan’s importance and strength. Another crucial aspect is that recent global crises, especially Israel’s ambitions and India’s duplicity, have become evident. The Muslim world is therefore less inclined to trust India. As a result, it should not be surprising if other Arab countries enter similar agreements with Pakistan as Saudi Arabia has. Some have asked whether Saudi Arabia will sever ties with India or halt investments there. Such a view reflects ignorance of global politics. While Saudi Arabia may distance itself from India on certain issues, it does not mean it will disengage entirely or push India into the ranks of open adversaries. Reasonable actors do not behave that way.
In conclusion, this agreement marks a historic turn, with Pakistan emerging as a major power. It will contribute to domestic political and economic stability and Pakistan’s fortunes are on the rise. Those unhappy with this development should define their own positions.
—This writer is former advisor to the President of Pakistan, author & mass media theorist.
(farooq.adilbhuta@gmail,com)
