Regaining unity and purpose

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for a broad consensus among Muslim countries to eliminate the menace of terrorism that is affecting world peace. In a talk with media persons accompanying him on the trip to Saudi Arabia, Mian Nawaz Sharif noted that with a financial cost of around $120 billion and the loss of thousands of precious human lives, Pakistan has suffered immensely due to this scourge. The prime minister is right in his observation of the cost that our country has paid in its fight against terrorism. In many ways this cannot be calculated. Also, his proposal for an accord amongst Muslim countries makes eminent sense. The only way we can effectively fight terrorism is if Muslim countries are unified and adopt a common strategy. But this is easier said than done.

Our prime minister made his suggestion after attending the first-ever Arab-Islamic-American Summit on terrorism which was held some days back at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and attended by American President Donald Trump as well as leaders from various Muslim countries. All the right notes were struck at the conference but at the same time a number of important leaders of the Muslim world were absent from the conference. Their absence was indeed conspicuous and suggests a difference of opinion between the Saudi-led anti-terrorism coalition and those who do not follow it. Such a situation is perfect for terrorists to exploit to their advantage as in the past too they have taken benefit of differences between Muslims countries to seek refuge and support from one side or another. A united approach can only be possible if all Muslim countries are on the same page. This should be the focus of any regional approach to fighting terrorism. It is important for countries like Saudi Arabia to adopt an inclusive approach instead of pointing fingers at others, most notably Iran. Pakistan should also press for this approach as it is not advisable for our country to take sides. Such a strategy, which we have adopted in the past, has only resulted in more violence on the ground in Pakistan as countries fight their proxy wars on our soil. We have to tread carefully and smartly.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2017.

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