r Mohamed Waheed, a former president of the Maldives, recently visited Pakistan, actively engaging the academic forums. Drawing on his extensive experience in international development, public service and leadership, he shared valuable insights from his tenure as president, particularly on governance and socio-economic challenges. His participation highlighted his ongoing commitment to education and international collaboration.

As part of his academic engagements, Dr Mohamed Waheed met with a group of academicians and industry leaders at Al-Khidmat Foundation, where they had a candid discussion on a wide range of issues. The topics included the crisis in the Middle East, bilateral relations with Pakistan and the perception of Pakistan in various parts of the world, including the Maldives.

During his meetings with academics, Dr Waheed spoke candidly about the ongoing crisis in Gaza, delivering a stark message that stood in contrast to the symbolic rhetoric often used by leaders in the Islamic world. He argued that despite the rise of powers like China and Russia, the world remained unipolar under the US dominance. He highlighted the complicity of Western nations in fuelling regional conflicts, the political motivation behind Israeli genocide of Gazans and the deliberate displacement of Gazans.

Dr Waheed’s views align with several key theories. His emphasis on the persistence of a US-led unipolar order reflects realist thought, which focuses on how power and self-interest shape global politics. Israel’s unchecked actions, enabled by US support, exemplify how strategic interests prevent meaningful intervention by other powers or blocs. His critique of Western powers mirrors Marxist and neo-Marxist ideas, which suggest that global elites and capitalist interests perpetuate conflict to maintain influence.

In this framework, the destruction in Gaza is not just a regional issue. It is a part of a global order where powerful nations sustain their dominance through conflict. The failure of international institutions to act reinforces the hegemony of this system. Dr Waheed’s remarks about Netanyahu’s political maneuvers fit within a realist framework, which views conflict as a tool for political survival. Escalating violence serves as a distraction from domestic scandals, demonstrating how leaders use external conflicts to consolidate power, even at the expense of humanitarian suffering.

Dr Mohamed Waheed’s thoughts stand in stark contrast to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s response to the Gaza crisis, highlighting a fundamental difference in approach. While the OIC has limited itself to symbolic denunciations, appeals to international bodies and statements of regret over the inaction of global institutions, Dr Waheed emphasised the need for a more realistic understanding of the geopolitical dynamics at play. His remarks underscored the complicity of global powers in enabling Israel’s actions and the strategic interests that prevent meaningful intervention — points largely absent from the OIC’s rhetoric.

The OIC’s reliance on symbolic condemnations and appeals to international bodies, without concrete political or economic action, falls far short of what is needed. This gap between rhetoric and action not only weakens solidarity with Gaza but also undermines the moral framework that defines the Muslim community.

Pakistan’s population is 461 times larger than that of the Maldives. The Maldives boasts a per capita GDP nearly seven times higher. Around 2 million tourists visit the Maldives annually. 

The OIC’s reluctance to go beyond rhetorical support for Palestinians reflects a deep dilemma. Its member states are constrained by military dependence and fear catastrophic consequences of direct confrontation with Israel. Even if OIC countries were to unite and launch a military campaign, they would face overwhelming challenges. The Arab-Israeli War of 1973 offers a cautionary precedent — though the Arab coalition initially achieved military gains, the war ended with severe economic and political setbacks, including Israel’s territorial consolidation and the destabilisation of Arab economies. Furthermore, the OIC countries’ military dependence on imported technology leaves them vulnerable to supply disruptions, limiting their ability to sustain any prolonged conflict.

The strategic assassinations of key figures — such as senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah — serve as stark reminders that Israel possesses the intelligence capabilities and operational precision to strike high-value targets with impunity. The harsh reality weighs heavily on OIC leaders, as military engagement could provoke not only devastating military retaliation but also economic sanctions, political isolation and internal unrest, making symbolic condemnation a safer, albeit ineffective, option.

Dr Waheed’s words offered profound insight by cutting through the symbolic gestures that dominate the OIC’s response. He pointed to the persistence of a unipolar world, Western complicity and Israel’s strategic motivations, explaining how these dynamics obstruct meaningful intervention. Dr Waheed also shed light on the internal fractures of the Muslim world — such as the rivalry between relatively well-off OIC countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran—and how these rivalries cripple collective action. Meanwhile, nations like Pakistan, mired in economic turmoil and internal conflict, struggle to exert meaningful influence.

Dr Waheed also shared insights on the economic scene. Pakistan’s population is 461 times larger than that of the Maldives. The Maldives boasts a per capita GDP nearly seven times higher. Around 2 million tourists visit the Maldives annually, making it one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

During the Q&A session, Dr Waheed also talked about Pakistan’s image abroad. He said many Maldivians believed that a civil war was going on in Pakistan. This perception reflected a significant failure of Pakistan’s foreign policy apparatus and severely damages the country’s global reputation. With the insight of a former head of state, he stressed the critical role of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in reversing this damaging narrative.

He also pointed out that despite limited resources, the Maldives thrives by exporting tuna, which forms a cornerstone of its economy. Pakistan, with its extensive shoreline, has significant untapped potential in the fishing industry. Dr Waheed said that Pakistan must focus on developing its fishing sector, which could play a pivotal role in economic growth. Lessons from Maldives’ efficient utilisation of its marine resources could be instrumental in transforming Pakistan’s fishing industry into a major contributor to the national economy.

Academic exchanges between Pakistan and the Maldives can significantly strengthen bilateral ties through student and faculty exchanges, joint research and collaborative programmes. Such initiatives foster better understanding and expertise sharing, potentially leading to increased trade and economic cooperation. By expanding educational partnerships, the two nations can develop skilled professionals and create more business opportunities, paving the way for long-term collaboration and prosperity.

The writer, a tenured associate professor, heads the Department of Economics at COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus