What can we do in Saudi-Yemen conflict?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is in a quandary over taking side in the Saudi-Yemen conflict. Yet, it seems that Pakistan had decided to side with powerful Saudi Arab, as it is difficult to say no to it. Have we given serious thought to our strategic interest and the possible outcome in case the crisis escalates?
The conflict, which initially arose after a local uprising, has now involved at least 10 Arab nations which have decided to form a joint army to deal with all such situations.After initial reaction, our civil and military leadership took the right decision by sending a joint mission to Saudi Arab to discuss the modalities of the possible cooperation. The delegation led by Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif also includes some senior military officers. Further decision will be taken in the light of the delegation report.
The visit coincided with an Iranian appeal for talks between Iran and Saudi Arab to resolve the crisis. Pakistan can take the lead in bringing the two countries on the negotiation table through Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC). Escalation of the conflict would not be in the interest of the Arab world, Muslim world as well as for the whole world.
It’s a real test for our political leadership and Parliament. By and large parties and leaders have shown maturity in the conflict. It is good to see most of them calling for resolving the crisis.
It is good to see liberal, secular and religious parties on one page. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) asked the government not to fall in a trap and avoid sending troops.
The ruling PML-N and PPP though publicly took a position and sided with Saudi Arab but they too know the danger of becoming part of the Arab coalition.The crisis in the Middle East, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11, and the famous 2010-2011, Arab Spring, witnessed uprising in many Arab countries but unfortunately it ended either in the destruction of those countries or saw the emergence of the militant groups which want to introduce their brand of Islamic ideology.
Secondly, the change in the post-Arab Spring did not come in the form of democracy or freedom of expression, something missing in the Muslim for centuries nor it succeeded in peaceful transfer of power where elections were held. On the one hand, the West refuses to accept the election results and on the other, those Islamic forces which came to power as a result of democracy also crushed their opponents instead of respecting voice of dissent. As a result some of these countries are either facing anarchy or dictatorship.
The countries in the Middle East known for taking strong anti-US stance like Libya, Iraq and Syria, today, facing civil war. If there were only two militant groups at the time of 9/11, al-Qaeda and Taliban, today, there are dozens like Daesh or Islamic State (IS). Besides, there is a strong wave of extremism in that part of the world, which has badly affected Pakistan as well.
Today, there is also a serious leadership crisis in the Arab and Muslim world, as we no more have any visionary leader around as a result polarisation has not only increased but has expanded. The Arab leaders have taken strong sides which has further aggravated the situation.
Gone are the days when we had powerful Islamic leaders in the 70s like late Shah Faisal of Saudi Arab, Hafizul Asad of Syria, Col Qaddafi of Libya, PLO’s Yasir Arafat or Pakistan’s Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. They tried to unite the Arab, Islamic and the Third World and posed real challenge to the West and used oil as a weapon.
Today’s leaders are part of the problems not solution. Pakistan took the right position when it said, “Any violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke strong reaction from Pakistan.” But, if it means that we should not respect others’ territorial integrity.
What possible position Pakistan will finally take depends on the report of the Pakistani mission led by Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif. Pakistan, found itself in a delicate position where on the one hand it simply cannot refuse Saudi’s request but at the same time it has also to keep in mind its own strategic interest and the Iranian position in the conflict.
Though belated but Pakistan should take a lead on diplomatic front along with Turkey, Egypt and Indonesia to reduce tension in the region. Serious efforts should be made to use both Saudi Arab and Iran to resolve the crisis through dialogue and not through military intervention.
Unfortunately, the Arabs and the leaders of the Muslim world have fallen in the trap which would ultimately lead to disaster like the one we have been witnessing since 9/11. At least five countries have already been destroyed or facing serious internal conflicts i.e. Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya. Yemen is next as it is heading for complete destruction. Iran is facing isolation and is looking for a nuclear deal with the United States.
So, where will Pakistan stand, if we enter in this conflict particularly in a situation where our army is fighting one of its toughest wars in the country against terrorism, sectarianism and extremism?
The position which the Arab League (AL) has taken in this conflict would not help in resolving the crisis. A military intervention can have far reaching consequences like in Syria.Have we forgotten what happened after attack on Kuwait? Why was a joint army not formed when the US-led Nato forces attacked Afghanistan? Why did the Muslim world remain silent when Iraq was attacked in the name of the so-called weapon of mass destruction? The weaker and divided Arab and Muslim world would only make Israel much stronger.
We need to revive the spirit of the 70s when despite differences, the heads of Islamic leaders gathered in Lahore for the Islamic Summit and sent a strong message to the world.One understands the difficulties of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in taking any neutral position on this issue. He has little choice but to take the side of Saudi Arab.
Pakistan’s dilemma since its birth in 1947 has been its weak foreign policy. We hardly have an independent foreign policy. In the past we become alley of the US in the war against communism in the 60s, we sent Mujahideen to fight against Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, we sent our troops to crush Palestinian and we again toed the US line after 9/11.
Most of our internal problems were due to our foreign and security policies. It’s time we should keep our national, strategic and security interest supreme and should not go for any further adventurism, which this country can’t afford.The writer is the senior analyst and columnist of GEO, The News and Jang.