The safety, security and protection of Pakistani expatriates wherever should be of paramount interest to Pakistan
KARACHI: In your recent editorial titled “Our Saudi dilemma”, you questioned whether Pakistan should commit troops to defend Saudi Arabia. You hinted that Pakistan, as a member of the international community, has no such obligations.
The Yemeni Scud missile attack on King Abdul Aziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia, which was foiled prior to hitting the target, disturbs me because I take this to be an attack on my holy lands and the land of my prophets.
Apart from my religious sentiments, there are also millions of Pakistanis living across Saudi Arabia, who not only enrich the lives of their families but also contribute much needed foreign exchange to Pakistan.
A band of Houthi rebels, for whatever reasons or grievances, cannot be allowed to massacre innocent civilians, run over legitimate governments and destabilise an entire region.
The safety, security and protection of Pakistani expatriates wherever should be of paramount interest to Pakistan. Therefore, actions similar to what the West demands to protect its interests and citizens in such crises must be initiated by Pakistan.
In this context is the question, will Pakistan commit forces to Saudi Arabia to counter the Houthi onslaught still open to debate?
Sylvester Conception
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2015.
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