Pakistan concentrates internally

A matter of concern

I wish to draw your attention to a matter of serious concern to Pakistan, and the Pakistani community living in the UAE. The issue pertains to Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif’s policy statement on Yemen of April 13, 2015, and the manner it was covered and reflected in your publication. The Prime Minister, in his statement, had expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the GCC and underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strategic ties with the region. The statement is unequivocal and clear in its content and intent.

The same was reported through WAM by various newspapers, including Khaleej Times, Al Khaleej, Al Ittehad, Al Bayan and others. It was captioned as ‘Pakistan doesn’t abandon friends, strategic partners’ in Khaleej Times, and ‘Pakistan declares its solidarity with Gulf countries and intensifies contacts with Saudi Arabia’ in Arab dailies. In sharp contrast to the objective reporting by the bulk of UAE news media, your newspaper took it upon itself to continue to cast aspersions on Pakistan’s role in the region, declaring on the front page, that ‘Pakistan failed to take the right call, and that it must decide if its relations with the Gulf States are more valuable and sustainable than historic and strategic ties with the Gulf.’

While we appreciate freedom of expression, and exercise and encourage it within our own country, we take strong exception to commentary which in our view, reflects mala fide propaganda, aimed at pursuing specific agendas and vitiating the atmosphere.

Your biased reporting has hurt the sentiments and sensitivities of the 1.3 million hard working Pakistanis who remain in the UAE. As a newspaper of repute, we urge you to take corrective measures in the context of your policy while reporting on Pakistan.

From Mr Mohammad Abdul Wahid Khan

Press Counsellor, Consulate General of Pakistan

Dubai

Editor’s note: While we thank the press counsellor at the Consulate General of Pakistan for your note and understand your concerns regarding Gulf News’ editorial comment, we have a serious issue with your offensive assertion that our coverage was ‘propaganda’ and ‘biased’. Gulf News published the news of the Pakistani Prime Minister in its entirety on the front page and inside. What you are referring to is our Editorial Comment, which, we believe, and hopefully you agree, is our right.

It is our opinion that the Pakistani official position with regard to the ongoing military campaign in Yemen was disappointing and unexpected, especially taking into account, as we said, the close and strategic relationship between the Arabian Gulf states and Pakistan. We don’t think you have the right, sir, to question our right to express our opinion. You may want to accuse us of bias but you mistakenly have confused the issue of news versus opinion.

Meanwhile, you claim that our reporting “has hurt” the Pakistani community in the UAE. Gulf News respects and appreciates all the communities in this country, including the esteemed Pakistani community, whose members are welcome in the UAE and have been part of the amazing success story of the development and growth of this country. You, sir, don’t seem to be able to differentiate between our view of the official Pakistani political stance regarding the ‘Operation Storm of Resolve’ and the deep rooted relationship between Gulf News and the Pakistani community — a relationship of friendship, admiration and mutual respect.

Too much on Pakistan’s plate

Islamabad has a clear view on Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity but Yemen is a totally different situation (‘Pakistan failed to take the right call’, Gulf News, April 14). Pakistan has no military relationship with Yemen, or if so, it is nominal. The country’s strategic position demands that it be neutral, as Pakistan’s army is conducting massive operations against terrorists near the Afghanistan border. The relationship between Tehran and Islamabad are not ideal, as well. There is often an insurgency at the border with Iran too, which the Baloch regiment of Pakistan’s army faces. Pakistan has much to deal with at its borders, and to introduce a new enemy means they will have to increase their defence budget, which the country cannot afford. Moreover, Pakistan is an independent country and has the authority to take a stand on its views without judgment.

From Mr Yasir Saleem

UAE

Website comment

It’s not Sharif’s decision alone

This editorial indicates that a majority of people have failed to understand Pakistan’s current position. Pakistan is already at war with terrorists within the country and rising tensions at its borders with Afghanistan, Iran and India. I agree that the country’s politicians have also failed in maintaining foreign relations in the past two decades, and it has ended up creating a bad position for Pakistan in the eyes of the world.

However, it should be noted that Pakistan’s decisions cannot be made on an individual level. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif does not have the authority to commit to any major decisions without the ruling of the parliament, which ideally represents the nation. Also, it should be noted that Sharif’s current position has been in question for the past eight to nine months and he and his party have been accused of rigging the 2013 national elections. Therefore, his decision should not count until his position is clear. No foreign government should make any commitment with Sharif until there is a court verdict by the judicial commission, which was formed to investigate the 2013 elections. In short, Gulf states should understand Pakistan’s current situation and not compel Islamabad to participate in conflicts that could directly engage Pakistan in another civil war and further destabilise the country.

From Mr Amir

UAE

Website comment

Diplomacy done incorrectly

It’s unfortunate to see this response from Pakistan, a country that receives billions in aid from the Gulf and whom the Gulf trusts as a true friend. The diplomatic way of offering help in case of any problem in Saudi Arabia is useless and there is no need of it, seeing as the world’s Muslims will generally stand with Saudi Arabia, considering that it is home to Islam’s sacred sites.

From Mr Riyaz

UAE

Website comment

Develop leadership

Pakistan should be appreciated for taking a mature approach and trying to play the role of a mediator. Pakistan must continue to develop its leadership amongst Muslim countries. War never resolves anything.

From Mr Nabeel Khalid

UAE

Facebook comment

Can’t afford to start a new war

Pakistan is already at war with the terrorists who killed over 140 children in an army school in Peshawar. It shares borders with Iran, the very country that Gulf states want Islamabad to fight against. Its other neighbour, India, is also in constant contention at the Line of Control (LOC), where firing happens frequently. So instead of helping Pakistan’s situation, do you really want them to start a war with their neighbour, who is in the midst of an atomic deal with the US? Please don’t get them wrong this time. Pakistan can’t start a new war.

From Mr Sulaiman Fareed

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Facebook comment

Play the role of mediator

I think peace process should be the only and ultimate choice, to avoid further damages to all. Let Pakistan play the role of a mediator to bring Al Houthis and the overthrown Yemeni authorities to the negotiation table, in order to end this conflict.

From Mr Qassim Abdullah

Dubai

Facebook comment

Not enough ties to Yemen

I completely disagree with Gulf News’ editorial on the subject. If Al Houthis were to cross into Saudi Arabia, the stance of the people of Pakistan would have been, for sure, to rush to help the nation. But as the events of the past few weeks indicate, this is about an internal strife in Yemen by those who have been marginalised over years.

From Mr Syed Mohammad Arif Zaki

Dubai

Time to show appreciation

As a Pakistani, I feel my countrymen and women are unhappy with the stance our government has taken, by not supporting the GCC in their fight against the Iranian-supported Al Houthis in Yemen. The UAE, especially, and the GCC, in general, have always stood by Pakistan and its corrupt politicians have many a time taken money and financial aid from them. Today, when the GCC needs their help, they have backed out and their leaders are issuing disloyal statements. Even now, I think that there is still time for the government of Pakistan to rethink its unrealistic decision of turning its back to a friend. We hope the country’s army listens to us and uses commonsense.

From Mr Imran O. Kazmi

UAE

Sharif doesn’t want to upset Iran

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif failed to take the right call, probably to avoid upsetting Iran, and threw the ball in the parliament’s court. Pakistan must decide today if its relationship with Iran is more valuable and sustainable than its historic and strategic ties with the Gulf.

From Mr Faiz Mohammad

UAE

Website comment

A decision to avoid sectarianism

Pakistan is right in its decision to solve the problem through negotiations and not through war. The country is already suffering from its fight against terrorism for over a decade. The main reason why Islamabad must stay neutral about Yemen, is because Pakistan is a country in which the two sects, Sunnis and Shias, are living together in large numbers. If Pakistan goes against Iran, it can face great trouble within its borders as well.

From Mr Omar Afsar

UAE

Website comment

Always an ally

As a democratic country, Pakistan’s elected parliament decides what course of action is supposed to be taken by the country (‘Pakistan risks losing trust of Gulf nations’, Gulf News, April 12). What the country does next is not dependent on the decision of one person alone. Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan a lot, but Pakistan has also helped them, by fighting for them on four occasions. One cannot judge between allies and non-allies in this way.

From Mr Ahmad Hassan

UAE

Website comment

We have enough problems

Pakistan itself is in turmoil right now. We have extremists all over our northwest borders, and have to protect Balochistan against rebels of our own. Our cities have armed robberies, our own army is completely stretched and we need army personnel to defend our country from within. We have to do this all by ourselves. Pakistan is still willing to defend Arab states’ territorial integrity, but the country can’t be expected to send its army to war, when it has enemies within its own territory and at the doorstep. Pakistanis still love the people of the UAE and we have always been like brothers, so let’s keep it that way.

From Mr Hamza

UAE

Website comment

Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s strong relations will never be shaken by the decision of its parliament. It’s the media’s responsibility to bring factual information to the public. The Pakistani parliament desires a peaceful resolution for the Yemen crisis, which is affecting the Gulf region. The media should also highlight that the parliament has mentioned in the resolution passed by the elected leaders that if there was a threat to Saudi Arabia’s regional territory, Pakistan would stand with Saudi Arabia. It clearly shows that the Pakistani army will fight against any enemy posing a threat to Saudi Arabian territory. This is big news, and something the media should highlight. War is not a solution to problems, as history has shown us. Only the peaceful resolution of the current crises is beneficial for the Gulf region.

From Mr Naveed

UAE

Website comment

Diplomatic solutions are necessary

Pakistanis are thankful to the people and the authorities of the UAE for their humanitarian support for Pakistan. The country has always stood by the UAE and will continue to do so if there is any threat to the UAE or Saudi Arabia, as was reiterated by Pakistan’s parliament. I think and hope that the Gulf countries will understand that the decision was taken by an elected and constitutional parliament. All countries have to respect the constitution of Pakistan, as it is a sovereign country. On the other hand, Pakistan is facing internal and external problems related to terrorism, and the army and security forces are tackling such elements currently. I feel that in this critical time, hard statements, such as the ones made in the editorial, would create obstacles in relations between the two countries. Everything must be sorted out via diplomatic agreements.

From Mr Imran Iqbal

UAE

Facebook comment

Not at the cost of self-destruction

Pakistan’s forces are for the sovereignty of the country alone. So, the country won’t be rash and won’t send its troops elsewhere while it is fighting various insurgencies within its own borders. Pakistani forces will protect the sovereignty of its allies and friends, but not at the cost of self-destruction.

From Mr Shah Aryar Malik

UAE

Facebook comment

Stop Al Houthis now

I am a Pakistani working in Abu Dhabi. I am a supporter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but am very disappointed with the decision of the parliament to be neutral. How have they passed such a resolution that will hurt the majority of the people of Pakistan? We Pakistanis support Saudi Arabia and our prime minister must support them too, by sending troops. If we don’t stop Al Houthis now, they will spread and become a permanent threat to Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Sharif needs to take the right decision now and help protect its allied countries with all possible means of support.

From Mr Ahmad A.

UAE

What do you expect?

Pakistan has always been on the front line when it comes to cooperation with Gulf states. The country’s army is already deployed in Saudi Arabia and Islamabad has been cooperating with military help for a few decades. But the problem today is that Pakistan’s army is fighting a war already and conducting a grand operation against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan party (TTP). The nation is also fighting urban wars in Karachi and Balochistan and faces heavy threats from Indian and Afghan borders. Pakistanis have lost nearly 60,000 lives over the last decade. Now, what could you expect from a nation that is fighting for its own survival every day?

From Mr Faizan

Dubai

Website comment

Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.