Muhammad Usman
MARRED with internal erosion, backwardness and insipid and self-seeking rulers, Islamic World is barren of the leadership which could remain true to oneself in face of even bare adversity. They readily dance to tunes, foreign to their lands to hold themselves in pleasure of those who could cause harm to their comforts or petty interests. As a result, Islamic countries are toothless as a whole or individually and rightly considered a disposable foil however, there are two exceptions; Turkey and Malaysia. The difference lies in their leaders as opposed to the rest of the Islamic World; Tayyip Erdogen and Mahathir Mohammad. More recently, both have once again shined and added to their international respect and prestige and awe of people like us who remain in wilderness internationally. The recent example is of rightest cause of Kashmir and our failure to attract attention of world community meaningfully. The fault lies within.
At UNGA session during last month, Malaysian PM Mahathir spoke in support of Kashmir cause, nothing less than the character and gravity of situation there warranted. He said that despite UN resolutions, India has invaded and occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He asked India to work with Pakistan for resolution of the issue. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and rule of law. This was a rare and strong voice which espoused cause of Kashmir in no uncertain terms and irked India revengefully. In thinly veiled move, on tacit instigation of Indian government, Indian top vegetable oil trade body has asked its members to stop buying Malaysian palm oil to show Indian displeasure but met stern rebuff by no less than Mahathir himself. He shot back that he would not retract his criticism of New Delhi’s decision to revoke Kashmir autonomy. He was explicit in what he was saying and knew what it could spark – trade war between the two as described by him.
Malaysian export to India amounted to the tune of $10.8 Billion including $1.63 Billion of palm oil as recorded during fiscal year ending March this year. It would be a colossal loss to Malaysia if its flow dries up but he was undeterred. This shows his character, statesmanship and scrupulous adherence to principles of sovereignty and fair play. His these statements are worth their weight in gold and source of inspiration and envy to others. One, we speak our minds and we do not retract or change. Two, while Malaysia needs to be “nice to people” as it relies on trade with others, it also has to “speak-up for people”. The world needs to owe a great deal of gratitude to such enduring titans who stand up fearlessly for principle of coexistence nevertheless, Pakistan is under a great debt.
Over standoff with Turkey on issue of its Syrian offensive, US threatened Turkey of dire consequences and imposed crippling financial sanctions upon Turkey but PM Tayyip Erdogen remained unmoved. He continued what he had to accomplish to achieve by the offensive he launched. Turkey saw Kurdish fighters in North Eastern Syria as terrorists, linked to the PKK under US umbrella. Turkey considered them a threat to its security as they have regularly launched attacks across the country in the name of nationalism. It wanted to purge them of the area and US opposed it as a payoff for their past support in its fight against ISIS. Turkey could no longer endure them for keeping US in good humour. After seeing its sanctions falling flat, US switched over to negotiation mode but found Turkey a reluctant host to even its high profile team led US Vice President, Mike Pence. Armed with steadfastness, US found Turkey a tough customer and outcome of negotiation was a ceasefire as called by US but Turkey termed it a pause, not the ceasefire for 120 hours for the terrorists to leave the area. According to a senior US official, deal meant as US was validating what Turkey did.
According to Democrat Politicians, Pelosi and Schumer, Erdogen has given up nothing and Trump has given him everything. Yes, it is Erdogen who triumphed in face of extreme coercion and intimidation and secured most of the objectives of his military action. Undoubtedly, both leaders are endowed with character, courage of conviction and self-assurance. They are indeed imbued with a sense of self-sacrifice because when one acts at big stage so independently, he flirts with dangers of all kind including to his life and rule. On mere strength of these resounding traits, one could not alter the course of events in world until his nation is ready to support him and withstand ensuing challenges. Both have raised their countries to that level and have an acute sense of correspondence with their people. By a fair measure, Pakistan also seems to have a leader in their mould; Imran Khan. He could also call spade a spade internally as well as internationally and has already demonstrated this more than once but essentially remained devoid of force to make people to listen him more attentively. The obvious reason is that his country lags behind in most of the areas which makes the country internally strong and diplomacy begins at home. Probably, he needs to focus on them first or at least in tandem. So far he seemed to be moving slow or faltering on large number of them.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
