Pakistan’s new approach to the Middle East

International relations never remain static and must be reviewed from time to time. Geo-political and geo-economic realities keep changing and nation-states have to adapt. The Arab world has seen some defining moments during the past decade. The so-called Arab Spring has exacerbated the situation in the region. Important countries of yester years like Libya and Syria have been weakened beyond recognition. Of late, Israel has established relations with four more Arab countries. Extremist organizations like Al Qaeda and Daesh have been repulsed but not fully obliterated. Islamophobia is gaining ground in the west and should be tackled by Muslim countries collectively. 

The Pakistani prime minister’s special representative on religious harmony and the Middle East, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, has stated that the government is in the process of establishing a Pak-Arab forum that will try to enhance cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture, economy and trade. It will also deliberate ways and means to counter Islamophobia in the west and extremism in Muslim societies. 

This forum is essentially an attempt to modernize relations and find innovative solutions to common challenges. Extraordinary challenges demand out of the box solutions. Pakistan wants this forum to revitalize its relations with Arab countries and develop consensus around a strategy to deal with the scourge of extremism and combating Islamophobia. 

Traditional Pak-Arab cooperation was prominent in three areas: Pakistan’s unstinting support to Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian issue; manpower export to the Gulf countries and participation in their impressive infrastructural development; and defense co-operation based on training and joint military exercises. 

These three areas are still important for Pakistan, but the two sides have to adapt to the changing environment. Threat perceptions of Arab countries have changed over time. Modern hybrid wars would essentially be wars by other means. Arab governments are focusing on diversification of economies and accommodating local human resources first. The so-called Arab Spring has relegated the Palestinian issue to the backburner. Pakistani armed forces have achieved a great feat by repulsing terrorism and thereby making the country a much safer place. 

The Pakistan Air Force will soon host a two-week long multinational exercise named Aces Meet 2021. Important participating nations include the United States and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The exercise will focus on combating terrorism through air power. While the PAF will participate through the use of F16 and JF17 Thunder aircrafts, the Royal Saudi Air Force will bring its own Tornadoes. The PAF played a major role in wiping out terrorists from difficult terrains where army soldiers could not reach. It can share its vital experience with friendly Arab countries in crushing the serpent of terrorism. 

The Pak-Arab forum will also endeavor to attract Arab tourists to Pakistan. Arab families would particularly like to come to Pakistan which not only has very scenic areas in its north but also offers the right kind of social milieu. Arab tourists particularly like mountains and lakes which are abundant in the northern areas of Pakistan. The capital territory administration in Islamabad has plans to raise its own tourist friendly police. Infrastructure like international standard hotels, good roads in mountainous areas and shopping malls need to be developed quickly. Due to the short distance and reasonable cost of living, visits to Pakistan would be much more economical for Arab families. 

Pakistan’s trade volume with Arab nations has a lot of potential as well. If Arab countries invest in the country’s agricultural and livestock sectors, they can ensure food security in their region. There are vast areas of Pakistan that can be tilled. Apart from creating jobs in Pakistan, these investments will make Arab countries stakeholders in Pakistan’s agricultural advancement. Gulf countries are planning to diversify their economies and reduce dependence on oil. Pakistan should train its manpower to suit new requirements of Arab economies. 

Relations with the Arab countries are vital for Pakistan due to historical links, geographic proximity and common stakes in the security of sea lanes. When Arab countries start trading with China via Pakistan through the economic corridor, the security of sea lanes will assume added importance. The importance attached by Pakistan to its relations with Arab countries can be gauged from the fact that in addition to the foreign ministry, a special assistant to the prime minister has been tasked to oversee aspects like religious harmony and promote tolerance. 

The Pak-Arab forum is essentially an effort by the Pakistan government to coordinate work of various offices dealing with the Middle East. The role of diplomatic missions is usually well defined. The embassies are not expected to address challenges like extremism or Islamophobia. These problems ought to be tackled by governments of Muslim nations, scholars, think tanks and persons dealing with national security matters at the highest levels. 

*Javed Hafeez is a former Pakistani diplomat with much experience of the Middle East. He writes weekly columns in Pakistani and Gulf newspapers and appears regularly on satellite TV channels as a defense and political analyst.

Twitter: @hafiz_javed