Salahuddin Haider
PAKISTAN, founded
as an Islamic State,
remains under divine guidance till date, and has reasons to be proud for overcoming a severe crisis over problems with Saudi Arabia. Military-civilian cooperation was not only exemplary, but helped keep its head high. All kinds of reports, rumours were afloat for nearly last ten to twelve days, and although it is wrong to believe in rumours, and worse still to comment upon. Nevertheless whatever has been confirmed at official and unofficial levels needs to be scrutinized thoroughly to remain on guard in times to come.
The problem arose after UAE’s recognition of Israel, and reported pressure from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Pakistan to follow suit. But where wisdom combines with honesty, integrity and patriotism, issues, howsoever difficult, and complex, keep resolving themselves. It is natural phenomenon, experienced by administration in Islamabad, and peoples at large who looked worried, and perplexed. Relations with Saudi Arabia are fraternal, based on solid foundations, since centuries. It could not be shaken or tormented because of petty issues.
Blame games apart, the fact remains that some misunderstanding did arose between Islamabad Riyadh, but to give it a twist of differences within Royal family would be sheer stupidity. Differences in foreign policy perceptions arise because of changing geo-political situations. Pakistan has been persuading Saudis to convene Islamic Organization meeting on India’s annexation of occupied Kashmir.
Delays in that, for whatever reasons, naturally forced foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to pass some judgments, which perhaps caused irritation, and reportedly Riyadh felt unhappy, demanding reimbursement of a billion dollar loan from Pakistan which was done with interest.
Peoples Republic of China, all-weather friend of Pakistan, whose policy is based on mutual respect for sovereignty and integrity of States, not just Pakistan, came to Islamabad’s rescue and helped return the money with interest. Straws in the wind also pointed to Saudi pressure on Pakistan to recognize Israel, but prime minister Imran Khan denied it vehemently, informing the countrymen that like all other independent States, Saudi Arabia too has its own foreign policy. In the same breadth he made it clear that Pakistan too had its own independent foreign policy.
He quoted Quaide Azam to emphasise that Pakistan could only recognize Israel if an independent Palestinian State is established, and its people were treated as independent citizens of an independent State. That continues to be the policy of Islamabad even today. Digression from the principles laid down by the Father of the Nation, was inconceivable. But Israel’s double faced policies unmasked itself to the horror of UAE.
America wanted to supply F-35 modern fighter jets to Abu Dhabi, but reversed its decision under Tel Aviv pressure. That obviously must have been shocking for UAE. Israel’s ambition is too well known to recount.
Its wants to dominate Arab World, and uses one pretext or the other to achieve is sinister designs. Perhaps Pakistan was also told to review its ties with China and be in American camp. Imran Khan rejected with disdain, making it clear that Pakistan’s future is linked with China. It can not heed to such silly suggestions. Threats were reported of Saudi Arabia stopping oil supplies to Pakistan on deferred payment, but Imran, being a firm believer divinity and destiny, again stated that alternate energy resources can always be relied upon.
The Saudi envoy to Islamabad realizing the gravity of the situation kept going rounds VIPs in Islamabad, from Senate Chairman to Federal Ministers, and Punjab Governor and Chief Ministers, obviously to mend fences. Army chief General Qamar Bajwa and ISI Director General Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed, held talks with Saudi Military Authorities to discuss defense cooperation and even met the Deputy Defense Minister, but for unexplained reasons no meeting could be arranged between the Pakistan military chief and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Sultan.
However Pakistan had made it abundantly clear that even a minor dent with Beijing was out of question. Imran Khan, held on to principles, and result was there for all to see. The Saudi foreign minister clarified later that Riyadh will not accept Israel till such time Palestinians were not given their rights. It was Pakistan’s victory in the end, and that is what that matters.
