Skating on thin ice

The reported request for military support by Saudi Arabia in the event of an incursion into its territory gives cause for quite a bit of concern. The possible incursion that the Kingdom is worried about is one by the Islamic State (IS), which has made it clear that Saudi Arabia is in its sights. It already holds — and governs — large parts of Syria and Iraq. Riyadh is believed to be looking to its closest allies for support in this event and Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan are all in the frame for a request to boost security for the Saudis. It was for this purpose, among others, that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in the Kingdom at the request of the newly crowned King Salman bin Abdulaziz, recently — and it places Pakistan in something of a quandary.



Saudi Arabia, over the years, has been a long-term and reliable friend to Pakistan, and has extended the hand of support on many occasions, and whilst it may expect reciprocity in its own hour of need, there are good reasons in this case to proceed with utmost caution if we are to proceed at all. Pakistan has long been a contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions all over the world, and our soldiers have performed bravely and won respect worldwide. However, sending our troops, even in support of the closest of allies like Saudi Arabia, to fight a militant group like the IS is another kettle of fish entirely.

The Gulf countries as well as Saudi Arabia formed a coalition last September to fight the IS, but Pakistan distanced itself fearing that it may bring trouble to itself and in this we entirely support the government. The possibility of a backlash inside Pakistan if we went to fight alongside Saudi Arabia is considerable. The IS has yet to operationalise in Pakistan but it is acknowledged, somewhat belatedly, that this is a probability rather than a mere possibility. Islamabad has close historical ties with Riyadh, but this should not mean that it has to create the possibility of making self-inflicted wounds in support of our ally. It may be that we have to fight the IS in future — but the further in the future the better. Our energies will be best utlised in handling the menace of militancy within our own borders for now.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  11^th,  2015.

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