By: Wania Mansoor
In a recent interview with ARY News, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said,“If you cannot convene it, then I will be compelled to ask Prime minister Imran Khan to call a meeting of Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiri’s. I am once again peacefully telling OIC that a meeting of the council of foreign Ministers is our expectation.”
As Pakistan pulled out of the Kuala Lumpur summit after Saudi Arabia's “request”, it now expects Riyadh to “show leadership on this issue”. Islamabad has been pushing for the Foreign Minister’s meeting of the OIC since India abrogated article 370, which finished the special status of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He also added that “we have given them ample time, now either “with” or “without” them, we will move forward for oppressed Kashmiri's”.
“Without” them!
Pakistan has been requesting OIC to call a meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers on a one-point agenda of Kashmir but OIC's leadership (Saudis) has been declining it for Kashmir, rather are insisting to call a meeting for all the oppressed Muslim nations. Pakistan is tired of asking them to call the meeting and knows that Saudis won’t call the meeting on Kashmir's agenda as it will affect their and India's ties. As last year Saudi Arab welcomed India as a viewer in OIC. Pakistan has come up with the idea of calling a meeting on Kashmir’s agenda outside of OIC with the other countries ready to stand with Pakistan on the Kashmir Issue. But Saudi doesn’t seem to welcome the new idea.
Are new platforms a threat to OIC?
OIC was founded in 1969 consisting of 57 member states. The organization states that “it is a collective voice for the Muslim World” and works to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony”. In early times OIC used to be a support of oppressed Muslim countries and a platform for all the Muslims to unite. But with the passage of time, change in governments and policies of mighty powers restricted OIC's loyalty to Arabs only. As the only founder boomed in money. Somehow the other OIC members now work only to protect the interests of Arab nationalists. Till recent times when the world witnessed the nationalists uprising in different parts of the world, where everyone is now asking for equal rights for their nations in the likes of Turkey or Pakistan.
Pakistan which unlike other founders did not become wealthy but continued to serve and help others with the strongest army in the Muslim world and being the only Muslim atomic power, from Arab – Israel war to Macca attacks has now realized that the only Muslim atomic power is not taken seriously in comparison to its enemies who are rendered with respect because of their wealth has now decided to make its voice heard to all the leaders with its allies using a separate platform. This turns out as a threat to the unquestionable regime of Arab sultans of the Muslim world as their puppets now seem to have gained voice for their rights which might bring an end to their dark kingship. If any new platform ever comes into existence excluding the Arab world, Saudi won’t be able to drown their noise, which will certainly bother the veiled chiefs of the world. The world has already witnessed a glimpse of it at the Kuala Lumpur summit.
Rearrangement in world brackets
Over the past 12 months, Pakistan has been actively rallying for the formulation of a new global Muslim block to be spearheaded not by Saudi Arab but by Turkey and Pakistan itself. Turkey’s support for Pakistan on vital issues such as Kashmir has added fuel to the flames. In China, where Islamabad has been increasingly putting all his proverbial eggs, Pakistan feels it has an economic lifeline and it even has some leverage over the economic superpower: Beijing has no interest in jeopardizing its largest-ever overseas investment, the $62 billion (CPEC). Beijing now sees it’s economic interests served by backing Pakistan's narrative on Kashmir and the support is more eager than ever since it’s border conflicts with India started heating up with military clashes.
Furthermore, China is increasingly aiming to establish itself as the global power, while the U.S is retreating from the Middle East. Bearing in mind Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to build a strong economic partnership and work together on issues affecting the Muslim Ummah. The two sides have agreed for regular discussion to strengthen the trade and investment. Malaysian Prime minister has once mentioned in his media talk regarding their dejected relationship with India over their support to Pakistan upon Kashmir dispute. Moscow is also open in growing relations with Islamabad as India has started to fall for U.S and Russia has joined CPEC to enhance Russia, China, and Pakistan cooperation. This potential China - Pakistan- Turkey -Russia and Malaysia alliance has found a room for Iran, which is closing in with trade and military partnership.
In midst of all this, Arabs have decided to recognize Israel, and UAE so far has crowned itself with the title of disgrace. Bahrain, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman and rest of the Gulf states are following the same track under the commandment of Saudi Arab. It was once a fact that Pakistan and Saudi Arab can never be disconnected because of their deep connection but as a consequence of this strong stance taken by Pakistan’s external relations on Kashmir the bonding has taken a big hit and the effects will be quite obvious in near times to come. A small glimpse of which we all witnessed when Pakistan borrowed a loan from China to return its dues to Saudi Arabia. It’s pretty obvious that once Pakistan’s brother is not the same to rely upon any more since they consider themselves Royals and want to treat everyone as their peasants as long as they follow them. Also, they’ve made their intentions pretty clear by not supporting Kashmir and Palestine off late and this might turn out to be the last nail in the coffin for the so-called Muslim brotherhood.
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