A screenshot of Roznama Islam
On March 25, 2015, Pakistan's military and political leaders decided to support Saudi Arabia in view of the Saudi-led strikes in Yemen. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif, and other leaders. The meeting took place as the international media revealed that Pakistan was already providing naval and air support for the Saudi-led strikes in Yemen. The Pakistani government announced that it would support Saudi Arabia against any threats to its territorial integrity.
The Pakistani decision has caused concern, as it is feared that it might inflame the Sunni-Shia tensions in Pakistani society. There is also an existing concern that Pakistan has already suffered due to terrorism in recent years and should not entangle itself in another country's conflict.
The following are excerpts from editorials in three leading Urdu newspapers - Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt, Roznama Jang and Roznama Islam - on the Pakistani government's decision to support Saudi Arabia, calling for caution in supporting the Saudi-led strikes in Yemen.
"In Principle, Pakistan Should Try To End Disputes And Heightened Tensions Between Saudi Arabia And Iran, And Not Stand Shoulder To Shoulder With One Party" - Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt, Pakistan, March 28, 2015
"In a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, it was hurriedly announced to fully defend Saudi Arabia. There is democracy in the country, not dictatorship. In a democracy, the parliament has to make decisions. On small issues, APCs [all parties' conferences] are convened. The parliament remained in session for several days during the sit-ins [by Imran Khan and cleric Tahirul Qadri, parties outside Parliament]. The announcement to defend Saudi Arabia was made sitting at home [i.e. not in parliament]. In your [i.e. Pakistan's] current situation, are you in a position to help some other country militarily? Your army is deployed on the Line of Control [the military control line between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir] and on the border with Afghanistan.
"The responsibility for Zarb-e-Azb [the military operation against militants in North Waziristan] and for IDPs [internally displaced persons] lies with the army. The army is also busy in Karachi and Balochistan [instilling law and order there]. The whole country is suffering from terrorism, lawlessness, and sectarian strife. First, set right your own state of affairs, and then daydream of making decisions of international nature like a 'superpower' [does].
"One hundred and fifty thousand soldiers and 100 fighter planes are sufficient to defeat the Houthi rebels. Ten powerful countries, including Egypt and Sudan are with... [Saudi Arabia]. It is an issue of Saudi Arabia's and Iran's interests. Morally and in principle, Pakistan should try to end the disputes and heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran... not stand shoulder to shoulder with one party. Pakistan is already engulfed in a sectarian fire, and it can further intensify [if the Sunni-Shia schism in Pakistan escalates].
"The best role for Pakistan can be to make efforts to defuse the tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. This tension can result in the division of the Islamic nation [of Saudi Arabia] and its unity into pieces. China has expressed concern at the situation. Russia is also putting pressure on Iran for an immediate ceasefire. The United Nations should come forward in this situation. If Saudi Arabia's integrity is in danger, the United Nations should send its peace army."
Screen shot of Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt editorial
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"Pakistan Is Tied To Saudi Arabia In The Immortal Relationship Of Islamic Brotherhood; Saudi Arabia Has Supported Pakistan In Every Difficulty, Both Financially And Morally" - Roznama Jang, Pakistan, March 28, 2015
"At an important high-level meeting... presided over by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, the country's civil and military leadership deliberated on the fast-changing situation in the Middle East, against the backdrop of Houthi rebels' attacks on government forces, [Yemeni] President Mansour Hadi's fleeing to Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia's aerial attacks on rebel bases in Yemen, to protect its integrity.
"There was unanimity that if Saudi Arabia's integrity was threatened, Pakistan would play its full role [to protect Saudi Arabia]. It was also decided that Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Advisor [to the Prime Minister] on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, and senior representatives of the armed forces would go to Saudi Arabia... to assess the situation for themselves...."
"The Houthi Movement Is A Logical Result Of American Actions Against Al-Qaeda There, And The Destruction Of Israel Is On Its [i.e. The Houthi] Agenda"
"Analysts are terming this whole situation a conspiracy to make Islamic countries start fighting each other on a sectarian basis, as Yemen's Houthis are a sub-branch of a big sect of Islam, whereas the government there [Yemen] is from another sect. The Houthi movement is a logical result of American actions against Al-Qaeda there, and the destruction of Israel is on its [i.e. the Houthi] agenda. For this, analysts are not ruling out American and Israeli conspiracies to destabilize the whole Islamic world. Yemeni rebels, by targeting Saudi Arabia, have given the whole issue a sectarian color.
"Pakistan is tied to Saudi Arabia in the immortal relationship of Islamic brotherhood. Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan in every difficulty, financially and morally; the people of Pakistan have an emotional attachment to Saudi Arabia because, apart from the people's love and friendship, there are Muslim holy places [there] and also the tomb of the Holy Prophet. Luckily in Pakistan, at the level of the people there is no sectarian tension. In such a situation, Pakistan should decide [its course of action] patiently and after thorough consideration, keeping its national interests in mind.
"Pakistan has always accepted the United Nations decision in such matters [of international disputes]; it would be better if Saudi Arabia and its allies, with the full support of Pakistan, would seek a solution for this situation through this international body, so that all the countries follow it and the Islamic world is spared [the countries] fighting each other."
Screen shot of Roznama Jang editorial
"There Is No Room To Deny That Pakistan And Saudi Arabia Are Two States But One Soul; The Saudi Rulers Have Sided With Pakistan On Every Difficult Occasion And Tried To Lessen The Pains Of Pakistani People" - Roznama Islam, Pakistan, March 28, 2015
"For the time being, Pakistan has taken a correct decision not to be part of Saudi Arabia's military operation to defeat rebels in Yemen. However, in time of need, Pakistan's possible role to ensure Saudi Arabia's security and integrity is discussed in national circles. There is no dispute that Pakistan cannot keep itself aloof from political changes and fast-changing circumstances in the Middle East, as it is part of the Greater Middle East as identified by former American President George W. Bush during a G8 countries' conference in 2004.
"Meanwhile, there is no room to deny that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are two states but one soul. The Saudi rulers have sided with Pakistan on every difficult occasion and tried to lessen the pains of Pakistani people. So it is Pakistan's moral duty to play its role in saving its brother country from possible dangers and apprehensions due to geographical changes in the region.
"We should not forget this reality: that if an immediate attempt were not made to extinguish the fire in the Middle East lit on sectarian grounds, it can take Pakistan into its grip. In our country [Pakistan], causes and factors of sectarian conflict and sectarian prejudices are already present. In such a situation, every step should be taken, with great care and on the basis of a solid strategy. Not only that; there is [also an] urgent need to take all national and political circles into confidence with regard to our strategy, so that our country remains safe from another crisis and the government strategy delivers far-reaching results."
"To Strengthen The Defense Of Israel And Ensure Its Stability, International Forces And Their Allies Have Started A Dangerous Game In The Region"
"Although Pakistan's foreign policy is based on balanced lines which ensure that Pakistan will not interfere in any other country's [affairs]. However, to deal with threats to its integrity and stability of the indirect [sic] country, it is essential to adopt a realistic attitude and avoid daydreaming."
"If you examine the Middle East picture carefully, then there cannot be two opinions that the existence of the illegitimate Israeli state in the region is the real cause of this issue. Political, diplomatic, military, economic, and social changes are created around the Zionist state for only purpose to protect Israel. To strengthen the defense of Israel and ensure its stability, international forces and their allies have started a dangerous game in the region.
"Now it is the duty of the leadership of the Islamic world to understand these conspiracies and to erect a bulwark against the nefarious designs of evil forces, [and to] promote an atmosphere of solidarity, mutual unity and trust by rising above personal and political considerations. The reality is that presently the Islamic world is in need of a pious, statesmanlike, far-seeing, serious and determined leadership, which can play a solid role to save itself from strangers' hypocrisy..."
Sources: Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt (Pakistan), March 28, 2015; Roznama Jang (Pakistan), March 28, 2015; Roznama Islam (Pakistan), March 28, 2015.
