By: Aasef Chauhdry
There is not a single piece of land on earth
where one can see the peace prevailing. However, ironically, the Muslim
countries are the most affected areas, which is quite surprising and disturbing
as well. It appears as if there are greater plans to keep the Muslim Ummah
under the war clouds and bloodshed just to pave way for Israel. May it be Asia,
Africa or Europe; the targets are only the Muslim countries. The most recent
example is of Saudi-Iran conflict which has brought both the countries,
literally at the verge of war. The fissured relations and swelling tension
between both Muslim countries have serious consequences for the region in
particular and the whole Muslim world in general. The heightening belligerency
and non-cooperation between both sides will only benefit the vicious and self-perpetuating
unsophisticated and close-minded ideology of ISIS.
It’s only a few weeks back that suddenly
there was the talk about Turkey-Russia row in air, which ignited soon
after a Russian plane was shot down by the Turkish Air Force for violating the
latter’s air spaces. Both the countries were at the brink of a clash,
nevertheless, the situation cooled down after the exchange of hot statements
from both the sides. Somehow the other it looks as if that normalcy or easing
of tension between both the countries was not appreciated by the enemies of
peace in the region. If the current KSA-Iran escalation in rift is critically
analysed it seems as if a well engineered plot has been designed to create a
more easy and uncontestable environment for Israel in the region.
The
rising tension between both the significant powers of Middle East is not likely
to serve Ummah’s any cause, rather it’s going to seriously affect the peace
process initiative in Syria and Yemen which is already being spoiled by a large
number of known and unknown stakeholders of both the conflicts. It will also
cast negative shadow over the plight of Palestinians people who are witnessing
growing aggression from Israel and are paying the heavy price for their
freedom.
The most disappointing part of this whole
scenario is the one that is being played by the international peace watchdogs.
As the crisis escalated, the little has been done in the form of positive and
practical diplomacy by the international community to tranquil cross-Gulf
tensions, apart from mere appeals for self-discipline. Only Russia has come
forward and has offered to mediate. Those who sincerely desire, to see peace
prevailing in the Middle East, are looking towards the UN to step forward and
play a decisive role to cool down both the parties. The UN must play a more
perceptible role in cooling tempers as the Middle East cannot afford a
Saudi-Iranian inferno.
Amidst
this all, Pakistan has adopted a sane approach by announcing that it would
work to reduce tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with working for
“unity” within the Muslim world. Pakistan has seriously realised that the
geographic, geopolitical and geo-economic reasons along with issues of
religious sensitivities compel Pakistan not to take sides in the enmity. It’s
certainly in the best interest of Pakistan to safeguard its internal communal
harmony and stability, to stay neutral under any circumstances or come what
may, since impartiality is the best choice for Pakistan to make at this moment.
Everyone knows that Pakistan enjoys a very
vital place among the Muslim Ummah, hence being a very important Muslim
country; Pakistan should activate its diplomatic corps to move UN, OIC and
other international/regional forums to bring the rival countries on parley
table. At the same time, media is expected to play a very responsible and
positive role and should follow the guidelines issued by the PEMRA at all costs
to avoid generating controversies on the issue and urge for de-escalation of
the tension. Besides this the government’s efforts in this regard should
be acclaimed and approved by the media. Pakistan is playing a unique and
unprecedented role which should not go unnoted.
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