While Saudi Arabia has been the traditional middleman involved in brokering deals between Pakistan’s opposition and government, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan’s recent visit to Islamabad has firmly established Istanbul’s ability to fill Riyadh’s shoes.
The visit, according to sources, played a successful role in bringing both the coalition government and the opposition to the negotiating table just as tensions had reached a boiling point. Sources add that Premier Erdogan’s visit was in response to a special request from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the army itself.
A number of issues were discussed and agreed upon during the visit, including the smooth transition to a caretaker government, the stepping down of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, and letting the court decide the premier’s fate without undue interference.
In addition, Turkey will negotiate with the US and convince Washington to pay $5,000 per Nato container. Istanbul will also provide financial support worth $100 million to the coalition government for various projects so that it may decrease its budget deficit.
The deal brokered by Erdogan between the opposition and government includes providing a guarantee that the prime minister will step down smoothly and that a caretaker government will be set up. In exchange, the opposition has been asked to wait on a court decision on Gilani’s appeal and support the government in passing the upcoming budget.
The sources added that whether the court accepts or rejects the prime minister’s appeal, it has been decided that Gilani will step down. However, if the court lingers over the appeal, the opposition will have to wait and tone down its ‘Go Gilani’ campaign until the caretaker setup is announced.
While an interim setup has not yet been chalked out, the opposition and government have exchanged some names through Erdogan which are to be finalised at a later date. Erdogan has also provided a guarantee to the opposition that the interim government, which is to overlook the next elections, will be neutral.
NATO supplies
It’s not merely the domestic political landscape that has caught Istanbul’s attention, however. As a key Nato player, Turkey will play its part in lobbying amongst Nato countries to ensure Pakistan received $5000 per Nato container. “Turkey can use its influence to convince Nato and the US to accept Pakistan’s terms which may pay the way for the restoration of Nato supply routes,” a well-placed source said. Erdogan has also made efforts to pacify Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and other religious parties over their determination to keep Nato routes blocked.
Turkey’s unique position
Although PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s exile from Pakistan in 1999 was facilitated and guaranteed by the Saudis, both the PPP and Nawaz are now tilting towards Turkey. According to sources, Sharif has distanced himself from Saudi Arabia for personal “family-related” reasons. The PPP, on the other hand, has always been close to Istanbul – so both the opposition and the government felt comfortable negotiation in Erdogan’s presence.
Another emerging political player who has attempted to strengthen his ties with Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, who recently visited Turkey. Sources say Imran is also onboard regarding the negotiations with Turkey.
However, there was no official confirmation on this from either PPP Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira or any senior PML-N leader.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (27)
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This is height of incompetence.......
Once Imran Khan comes in power we don't need direction from anyone, we will listen though.
Guys these recent maneuvers by Turkey shows the rising political, financial and military clout of Turkey in the global chess game. Its not new in international circuit, it happens in third world countries which cant solve their own problems and in Pakistan beleaguered history, always a foreign mostly Americans have mediated between political parties, now when Americans and their staunch allies Arabs have shown their back to us, we have turned towards Turkey for mediation, its a good sign and the scenario looks positive, as Turkey should be the role model for all Islamic countries. I hope Turkey will be able to influence NATO and the political process will be smooth in Pakistan
since 70's when our nation started wearing Saudi funded religion based politics, sectarian elements got spread like mafia, mushroom growth of madrissa class erupted, rent a jihad drive introduced and text books gutted with particular ideology. The result is obvious what presently, our nation is facing the music.
Afghanistan since last 40 year is burning in fire and gun powder. Pakistan is also facing the music.
Before, 70,s, situation in Pakistan and region was not like present. Peace, religious harmony and development was the order of the day. Society had tolerance based bonds. Green passport has good image, Corrupt politicians were a few not like mafia of today. Linguistic & sectarian parties has no place in society.
Thank God, we are rethinking to shift our national directions.
what erdogan did for turkey was great and we should laern from that but that does not mean we should let him advise us. remember he places turkey, usa over pakistan.
I'll take turkey anyway over Saudis who think we are their slaves
Pakistani view of world affair: Kashmir = core issue for India=Halal Palestine = core issue for Israel=Halal Chechnya= core issue for Russia=Halal Kurdistan = core issue for Turkey= Haram
@Uza Syed: Well said! the world watches as a minor world leader of a small country "Advices" Pak politicians and interferes. And Pakistani public seems happy and grateful?? Trully after 66 years, brits must be laughing at what pakistan has made of itself..
is this a joke? mind you april fool's day has passed about 2 months ago.
@Asad: Always good to suck up to the well heeled and wealthy.besides pakistan will respect anyone who weields power and wealth! Besides, pakistans politicians behave like ,kids in front of other wealthier islamic countries. From changing names of cities( faislabad), to naming stadiums( gaddahfi), now they should do something about renaming lahore by " Erdoganabad"!! If Edogan can admonish and broker peace in pak parliament, why not Hillary Clinton??
Dear Shadi, Don't forget what they did with Libya and now with Syria. During all this uprising in Libya Qaddafi forces max. 1000 to 2000 people. But these allies killed more then 100,000 Libyans and turn country into rubble. At the same time they don't say a single word against Arab allies. So Turkey is as bad as others. Now Free Syrian Army is equipped, trained, and infiltrated into Syria by Turkey and allies in name of human rights. They are collecting mercenaries from around the world in name of Jihad just like Afghanistan.
Instead letting one or other foreigner guiding us or dictating or prescribing what is right or wrong for us, in my view, we should kick all these so called leaders who just are not able to lead. What are we a newly founded country without any clue in the matters of statecraft? what a shame and lot of reasons to worry, 66 years since founding of our country and we still need basic tutoring in how to safe guard our national interests and no one of our own do this but one "Biradar" or the other..
@vasan: Take care of Naxals first before Posting Ethical Bhashans here, Where is your sovereignty? Go control them first and then come back here to ask any question. Before that, You do not qualify to ask any question about sovereignty
We condemn foreign interference into our internal affairs by all these countries.
The role of Nawaz Sharif is not in the national interest. Re-opening of NATO supplies is vital for Pakistan to remain afloat economically. Turkish Prime Minister is here to instil some commonsense into Nawaz head "a very difficult job though", that opposition for the sake of opposition will harm Pakistan's interest very seriously.
after arab spring, saudis are not reliable long term regional dealer of white house. turkey just got the new dealership. we missed the chance due to our internal problems
Thats not bad actually, Muslim countries should bother for instability in other OIC countries. Turkey has played the right role. (For those who call it foreign intervention, Please raise active voice against drone attacks first)
Sounds quite encouraging.
Where is Pakistan's sovereignty and ghairat in such a situation that somebody or other have to mediate and poke into its internal affairs. Worse than a village panchayat.
Being closer to istnbul ios a good thing , because it is a european country, and looks like a great blend of london and monaco. Beaitiful weather, food, women, liberal, pubs, night clubs and business! Dubai is too passe as now all the poor subcontinent riff raff and middle class visit it often. Istanbul is classy, while riyadh is too boring, with nothing to do. If turkey can negotiate the money issues with NATO( usd 5000 per container) it is a satisfying outcome. " All about Money honey"!!
respect for Erdogan and his intentions. But you dont need to indulge yourself in dirty pakistani politics
A very perceptive title - this is clearly the role that Erdogan wishes to arrogate for himself. Amazing that all demands for sovereignty are quietly forgotten when the PM of another country comes and tells you what to do.
Neither Saudi nor Turkey have their own strategy they just follow the instructions. These so called friends of Pakistan are more dangerous then empire itself. They will never bring any positive thing for Pakistan. They just follow their own agenda.
What a shame that the other countries with much less population like S. Arabia, UAE and now Turkey influence a nuclear armed Pakistan, Why do we have to degrade ourselves to this extent? Thank God we have finally decided to get out of S. Arabia's influence after they have stopped doling out the cash.