By end November, Pakistan is set to discuss and finalise its terms of reference and the extent of its participation
LAHORE: By the end of November, Pakistan is set to discuss and finalise its terms of reference and the extent of its participation in the Islamic Military Alliance. This will be discussed at a meeting of defence ministers from member countries. Although Pakistan has previously announced its unbiased participation in the alliance with regard to any conflict that involves another Islamic nation, practically it would be difficult to maintain neutrality.
Being a party to the alliance implies pumping in one’s military and monetary capital unanimously. On the other hand, how a country is going to assure that its personnel are not used against another Islamic nation will only be revealed with time. As Pakistan is trying to strike a balance in its relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia, balancing the use of resources pooled in would be no easy task either, especially considering that previously Pakistan’s decision to stay neutral in the Yemen conflict strained its relations with the KSA.
Adnan Ali Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2017.
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