IN the extremely fluid situation obtaining in the Middle East, Pakistan has had to maintain a delicate course, and continues to face complex foreign policy choices. Take, for example, the 34-nation, Saudi-led counterterrorism coalition formed last month, of which Islamabad is a part. As reported, a few days ago a senior Saudi defence ministry official was in the country and met the army chief. While the meeting was ostensibly convened to discuss ‘defence ties’, it has been suggested that greater details of Pakistan’s inclusion in the coalition may have been discussed. The Saudis are reportedly due to host a meeting concerning the coalition later this month, and it would not be unusual for Riyadh to be sounding out Islamabad about the fine print of coalition membership.

Pakistan should continue to engage with the Saudis while cooperation on counterterrorism can be a productive exercise for both states. However, if the coalition in question is meant to be an ideological or communal initiative — there has been criticism along these lines due to the exclusion of Iran, Iraq and Syria, the latter two major victims of terrorism — then Pakistan should best keep away from such endeavours. Already, Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority state and a country which has also dealt with internal Islamist radicalism, has quietly distanced itself from the alliance. Pakistan, primarily due to its internal confessional dynamics, as well as its domestic security situation, cannot afford to be part of any plan that may increase the divide within the Muslim world further. Last year, efforts were made to ‘convince’ Pakistan to join the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, which Islamabad wisely declined. If anything, this country should push for an inclusive Muslim bloc that can jointly address the menace of terrorism and extremism. Moreover, the country should refrain from getting involved in the ‘good militant, bad militant’ game abroad. It must clearly state that all militant groups active in Syria, Iraq and beyond are not legitimate. Countering terrorism both at home and abroad is a must for this country, especially as the militant Islamic State group is spreading its tentacles across the region, and is inspiring elements inside Pakistan. However, Pakistani boots should not be on the ground in complicated foreign conflicts that show no signs of abating. Also, the state should continue to involve parliament where the role, scope and extent of Pakistan’s involvement in the Saudi-led coalition is concerned.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2016