Pak initiative generates wider goodwill

Riyadh-Tehran row

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has declared end to Saudi-Iran row as Pakistan’s top priority and also stated that both Riyadh and Tehran have cognizance of the perils of terrorism. Above all, the prime minister says he is more than satisfied with his tour of these two Islamic countries that he undertook as a moral obligation and as a ‘peace priority’. 

Now this expression of satisfaction by the PM definitely means that his tour has somehow brought about the realisation in the two brotherly Islamic states that the ongoing tension between the two ought to end now, keeping in consideration the real threat- terrorism- that is not directed against any single country rather aims at ruining peace in majority countries of the Islamic Ummah, with Saudi Arabia and Iran being no exception.

This can be said to be a maiden diplomatic initiative taken at the top leadership level by the most revered nation within the Islamic fraternity, namely Pakistan. This fact is acknowledged the world over that all the Islamic countries including the oil rich countries look toward Pakistan in crucial moments that require untraditional decisions notwithstanding the fact that Saudi Arabia’s defence budget is almost 10 to 12 times the defence budget of Pakistan and despite the fact that the volume of Iranian economy too is very large. As for Pakistan, it has earned the leadership role in the Islamic world on three accounts: (i) That it is the only Islamic, responsible nuclear power (ii) That its armed services are recognized as one amongst the top forces of the world & (iii) That its elements of national power have continued to grow even during the times when the support of the government has been minimal. The latest condition is comparable with the situation prevailing in advanced societies like American society or some other western society where the growth of the society is not totally dependent on the growth of the governmental engine, although the latter always plays the pivotal role in leading the growing sectors to achieve optimum development and consolidation of gains. 

It was with remarkable self-confidence generated by this growth that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharifleft for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran on Jan 18-19 to exchange views on regional and international issues with focus on creating understanding and harmony. The declared objective was taking timely diplomatic initiative and mediating between Riyadh and Tehran so as to prevent the current tensions from taking a hazardous turn which could endanger peace of the entire region.

For Pakistan, both Saudi Arabia and Iran carry great significance. Pakistan has great respect for Saudi Arabia which is the custodian of two holy mosques, while on the other hand a large number of Shiacommunity is living in the country and Pakistan has great affinity with neighbouring Iran. Above all, the unity of Muslim Ummah happens to be the number one priority of Pakistan. It is noteworthy that during the Gulf War, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif played an active role and visited six countries of the region to defuse tension. 

The same conciliatory role is now intended in the recent escalation of tension between Riyadh and Tehran which, in fact, came as a shock to Pakistan, particularly during these challenging times when there was already unrest in Syria and Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan were facing a threat, in varying degrees, from different militants including the Islamic State (IS)group. The present political and military leadership of Pakistan is avowedly committed to creating an environment for the development of a common strategy to fight all hues and shades of terrorism including the IS threat.

As for the modus operandi to do away with Riyadh-Tehran escalation of conflict, Pakistan government pressed upon Iran to appoint full-time focal person to pursue dialogue and peace initiatives besides offering to appoint its own focal person. And now, according to the latest reports, appointment of focal person by Saudi Arabia is also on the cards. 

This goodwill gesture shown by Pakistan at the level of prime minister as well as at the level of chief of army staff has been well received in Riyadh and Tehran. Of course, it is encouraging that the prime minister has personally thrown his weight behind these diplomatic solutions. The inclusion of Pak Army chief, General Raheel Sharif, in the PM’s team also had a salutary effect on the Islamic world horizon, given the fact that the armed forces of Pakistan are viewed by majority Islamic states as a symbol of strength and solidarity for the entire Ummah. This perception helps in softening the rigid attitudes in the wake of persuasive efforts undertaken by military leadership in the company of political leadership like that of Nawaz Sharif who already enjoys considerable say within the Islamic fraternity.