RECENT TRENDS IN PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

Pakistan continues to play an active role in the Middle East. But Pakistani leadership is in a difficult position as Pakistan's influence on Saudi Arabia has become very inadequate while looking on Saudi economic donations and remittances. The Pakistani game of balance in the Middle East may not be a feasible approach. The personal ties between the Saudi and the Pakistani leadership has weakened. This time Pakistani military is also not ready to play role of a central player in normalizing the relationship. On the other hand, there is no single superpower in the Gulf and South Asian region as other regional players has become strong. Instead of the hegemony of a single power, the New World has become a complex network of many countries operating within various alliances, and various pragmatic policies. Saudi efforts of isolating Qatar from the Gulf States, known as the Qatari crisis, has become another Spartan challenge for Pakistan foreign policy makers. Pakistan cannot positively respond to the call of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reduce relations with Qatar. Saudi Arabia made a fatal mistake in Yemen and pushed Pakistan to agree to send troops to fight in Yemen. Yemen crisis arise on the horizon of foreign relations of Pakistan as a test case to maintain balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran and policies of Iran and Saudi Arabia on Kashmir Issue create situation in which huge mix-up can be expected.