Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has accompanied the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif in what is going to be a crucial journey for peace in the region. Quite clearly the Prime Minister and his entourage cannot be fully trusted in a mission of this nature. It is not just a matter of ‘seriousness’ and intentions, it is also a matter of capability and grit. The prime minister has hardly any knowledge of history, and those around him don’t inspire much confidence. General Raheel Sharif has proved his diplomatic skills in various missions last year. And he is in the best position to safeguard the strategic military interests of Pakistan in the region. This journey happens to be taking place at a time when new realities are taking birth. Chinese President is visiting Saudi Arab and Iran to play his role in preventing the region from getting further destabilised. Saudi Arab for long has been American ally. But now Saudi Arab’s governance has fallen into the hands of a new generation. Iran may well become an American ally in the times to come. There is no permanence in global relations. The only permanent factor is impermanence. Can Pakistan play a role in diffusing the Arab-Iran conflict? I have my doubts.
Iran is not going to give up its expansionist policies. Yemen, Syria and Lebanon are Arab countries. As is Iraq. And we all know Iran plays an interventionist role in these countries. Also wherever there is Shia population. This gives Arabs an impression of “Empire Designs” on the part of Iran.
On the other hand, Saudi Arab should try to soften its stance on disputed matters for the best interests of the Muslim Umma.
All these expectations require a transformation of mindsets. And mindsets have their roots in history.
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