Israel’s blatant air strikes on Doha on September 9 to kill the negotiating team of Hamas shocked Qatar as well as the whole Arab world. None could imagine that the US’s closest ally would be attacked and the most expensive defence system worth 19 billion dollars would prove worthless.
- The writer is a retired Brigadier General, war veteran, defence and security analyst, columnist, author of five books, ex-chairman TFP, Patron-in-chief CDS Think Tank, and takes part in TV talk shows.
- *The views and opinions expressed herein, and any references, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS).
Neither Israel was remorseful, nor the US condemned Israel, rather the silence of the West implied tacit approval.
Qatar’s bitter experience rang alarm bells in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which had recently inked a defence pact with the USA and was in the process of normalizing ties with Israel under Washington’s pressure. Riyadh realized that its security could not be solely outsourced to the US, which had already betrayed many allies in the past.
The Doha Summit hosted by the Emir of Qatar on September 15 revealed rising Arab anger. The participants expressed their resentment and condemned Israel for its blatant air strikes on Doha. Egypt pushed for a NATO-style force, Pakistan supported an Arab-Islamic Task Force and punitive actions, Gulf States explored joint defense, and Iran called for direct retaliation and gave a timeline to the UN to resolve the Palestinians issue and to punish Israeli leaders for their war crimes.
The recommendations made by the PM of Pakistan were meaningful, and were attentively listened to. The reason was:
- Pakistan’s image surged after its brilliant bout with India in the four-day war last May, which stunned the world.
- Its reputation boosted further after it stood beside Iran, when it was attacked by Israel last June.
- Pakistan civil and military leadership dealt with the US assertiveness confidently and adroitly.
- Pakistan’s permanent representative in the UN Iftikhar won the debate in the UN over Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, compelling the Israeli representative to tender an apology.
- Field Marshal Asim Munir’s military diplomacy played a key role in upping the stature of Pakistan.
Soon after the Summit , which was disappointing for many for not chalking out a concrete action plan to control Israel’s madness, the world was taken by surprise when a historic Strategic Mutual Defence Pact was signed between the KSA and Pakistan on Sept 17.
The grand welcome accorded to PM Shahbaz Sharif and his delegation was unprecedented. Only President Putin and President Trump were given such a reception. The event was celebrated in both countries.
The agreement goes beyond the traditional military cooperation that the two brotherly nations have maintained for decades. Any external aggression against either of the two countries will be considered aggression against both, warranting a joint response.
Pakistan, with its battle-hardened army, nuclear capability, and indigenous defence industry, provides Riyadh with a credible deterrent and a sense of security against Israel’s expanding aggression and hegemonic designs.
In return, Saudi Arabia has pledged substantial financial investments in Pakistan’s defence production, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
The pact has rattled Israel and India. Israel sees its plans for Greater Israel encountering fresh obstacles, while India perceives a tightening of Pakistan’s strategic depth in the Gulf. The US too is uncomfortable, as the move indicates KSA’s gradual drift from Washington’s orbit.
This pact marks a paradigm shift in the Gulf security architecture. It signals that Muslim nations are increasingly looking towards each other rather than depending blindly on the US or the West.
For Pakistan, the pact is a diplomatic and strategic breakthrough, enhancing its regional relevance and positioning it as a pivotal player in the security of the Muslim world.
The Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Defence Pact is not just an agreement; it is a message of solidarity and self-reliance for the entire Muslim Ummah.
Strangely, a segment in Pakistan, instead of celebrating the event, they are depressed. Out of sheer frustration they raised illogical objections.
Their illogical whys and hows are in circulation in the social media. They say the Summit was selective; why a pact between only two countries, and why the Deputy PM (also foreign minister) attended it. Some said it amounts to enslavement.
The debate is out of context , making no sense, except for criticising for the sake of criticism.
May Allah show light to those who are bent upon finding faults for no rhyme or reason, just to earn kudos from the like-minded, and to redress their frustrations.
KSA and Pakistan are the allies of the USA and are age-old friends, they respect each other; and have been cooperating and helping each other. None tried to undermine the other.
Both have different sets of security concerns.
KSA views Israel and Iran as security threats, while India is Pakistan’s arch enemy. Israel could be a future threat for Pakistan.
Afghanistan is also hostile and has preferred India over Pakistan.
While Riyadh has been extending loans, grants and oil on deferred payment to Pakistan without conditions, the latter sent military forces to Saudi Arabia in 1979, in 1982, during the first Gulf war in 1991, and have been imparting training to the Saudi military.
After the Doha attack, due to which the security situation in the Middle East aggravated, KSA once again turned towards Pakistan, when the US credibility and dependability faltered.
Pakistan didn’t hesitate to oblige the brother in faith, particularly when it was a win-win situation for both.
Pakistan stands to benefit in all respects, since it will now have two strategic partners – China and Saudi Arabia. Other GCC States are likely to follow suit, since they do as Saudis do.
The bilateral pact might ultimately lead to the creation of an Islamic NATO.
Tomorrow, Bangladesh might ask for a similar pact with Pakistan for which some progress has already been made.
The defence pact can act as a deterrent and could pose caution on Israel, wanting to decimate the inhabitants of Gaza and to physically occupy it.
Both KSA and Pakistan can play a role in making and implementing a road map to punish Israel by blocking Israeli products, stopping trade with Israel, and denying use of airspaces of the Arab States.
So what is the problem with the critics? Has Pakistan signed an agreement with Israel?
Isn’t it encouraging that the Arab States are waking up from their deep slumber and are discussing ways and means to prevent Israel from creating Greater Israel?
Isn’t it satisfying that the Arabs are finally talking about the plight of the Palestinians and are making plans how to rein in Israeli monstrous policies in the region?
Isn’t it an honour for the Pakistanis that Pakistan has been chosen out of 57 Muslim countries including 22 Arab States?
The KSA might not be militarily of much help to Pakistan in case of another war with India, but Pakistan’s access to the sophisticated western military technology it has, would be of great value.
KSA can block supplying oil to India, and can impose tough restrictions on the Indian diaspora in the Kingdom.
Riyadh can also use its influence to compel the Afghan Taliban regime to close the sanctuaries of the terrorists and to stop supporting TTP and BLA .
KSA can certainly help Pakistan financially by investing in all the five economic projects of SIFC, (Information Technology, Mining, Agriculture, Energy and Defence Production), establishing oil refinery in Gwadar, shifting industries to special economic zones along CPEC, funding joint defence ventures, and in clearing Pakistan’s external debts.
Logically, only Israel, India and the USA should have been upset and worried about the development. But some in Pakistan seem to be more concerned. Pakistan’s upswings are not to their liking.
It doesn’t need rocket science to discern their hidden motives, which are purely political in nature.
