We have been hearing a rhetoric of differences between the ruling political party in the federal & province. From the beginning of the current government formation, relations between PML-N and PPP have been on good & bad terms simultaneously. However, currently it seems like the decisions are being taken with mutual consent in order to create a harmony & peaceful political environment that follows the economic and strategic stability in the region. Civil-Military relations were the core agenda in a renowned agreement like the Charter of Democracy. Today, government and civil-military relations are flourishing, which is also a need in these crucial hours amid the war and terror situation in neighboring countries.
Nehal Hashmi’s appointment as the governor is also testimony that PPP-PML-N are right on the path to create & deliver a peaceful political environment for the sake of stability. Despite the controversies of PML-N’s Provincial President, Mr. Bashir Memon. It is considered an essential step towards democratic stability. However, if we go down the history lane, it was expected that Bashir Memon was going to be appointed as the Governor of Sindh. I still remember in a journalist’s gathering we saw a news report on a TV channel that Memon’s Appointment Notification is in process. A veteran journalist, Rafiq Bhutto & Fazil Jamili called him to confirm whether the news is authentic or not. Memon himself confirmed that we are in the middle of the appointment process. However, suddenly, the environment around Memon shifted against him. Some speculations in the media fraternity surrounding this particular appointment were that Faryal Talpur was not in favor of this appointment. However, the PML-N delayed the plan, and ultimately, they succeeded in the appointment of their governor in Sindh.
Undoubtedly, whether it is regarding domestic or international politics, Pakistan is right on track to maintain equal balance in politics & relations within or outside the country. However, the military’s role in escalating, stabilizing, and retaliating is equally commendable in the current situation.
Pakistan is facing two simultaneous challenges across the border. One is the Iran-US & Israel War, which is affecting the economy & creating global tensions, and another challenge is the Pakistan-Afghanistan War. It is undeniable that both wars are equally important for our country, and both wars are directly or indirectly motivated from a religious as well as sectarian perspective. Both are important and yet! On & off, our terms with these neighboring countries are mistrusted on several issues.
In this context, the DG ISPR statement portrays the situation of the Pak-Afghan War. He stated, “The Afghan Taliban regime produces two things. One is terrorism, and the other is narcotics. This is their business, and both are interconnected. So, they should refrain from all this. We need to understand the nature of the problem. As I said earlier, the way they are talking about Norwegian friends differentiates between civilians and military. Why you don’t understand it’s not a normal state. Terrorism for them and war for them is a way of life. That’s the way they thrive. And terror-crime nexus is a way of life, and narcotics plays an important role in that. So that is what is important for them. To cover it, they will talk about dialogue, diplomacy, and religion. Do they have anything to do with religion? Tell me they call themselves Imaraat. They have nothing to do with religion and Islam. Where is it written in Islam that you can do terrorism? Where is it written in Islam that you can do suicide bombing? Suicide is haram in Islam. Does it have anything to do with Islam? Where is it written in Islam that you differentiate between people on basis of race? Is it written? Islam is against it.”
As history portrays, that Sharif’s have been on good terms with the Middle East countries, especially Saudi Arabia. We have an example of General Musharraf’s regime; Saudi Arabia was the only country that supported Mian Nawaz Sharif during that period. Whereas, Bhutto’s and Iran’s relations have been intact from Z.A Bhutto to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. In fact, they have been playing a mediator role between Saudia & Iran. The world thinks that the meeting between the former Rahbar & Saudi King’s representatives was brokered by China. However, President Zardari himself initiated a mediator role in his first tenure of presidency. Former Spokesperson of the president has also described this scenario in his book “Zardari Presidency”. He wrote, “Pleased that Iran had accepted his mediatory role, Zardari continued, when I met Rahbar (Ayatollah Khamenei), I told him that I would sit in his office and not leave until he agreed. We have no choice but to seek peace and pursue rapprochement. We are all in a serious turmoil. Pakistan cannot afford a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Economies are falling apart. I fear this will result in wars. I’ve seen how small mistakes and miscalculations can be disastrous. Zardari also recalled U.S. Ambassador Oakley once telling him that the U.S. was unaware Najibullah possessed MIG’s and other sophisticated weapons. “Oh, a serious lapse on the part of our intelligence,” Oakley had admitted. “The Americans do not have a plan A, let alone plans B or C.” Zardari Remarked. A decade later, in April 2023, the world was stunned to learn that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud met his Iranian Counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Beijing for the first time in seven years. They agreed to reopen embassies and consulates.”.
Recently, Field Marshal Asim Munir also held a meeting with Muslim Shia Scholars, which unfortunately turned into a debate. I must say a communication error occurred from the COAS side, or maybe that’s how the military mindset is trained. It is also important to mention that the COAS profile describes him as a spiritually strong person; he is also Hafiz-ul-Quran, and, nonetheless, as we speak of a trained mindset, we cannot forget the Pakistan military’s Warcry “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar” which translates as “God is the Greatest.” The military mindset is trained around this chant. It is also important to recall a meeting held between Field Marshal Asim Munir & Ali Larijani (Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council) at GHQ in Pakistan in November 2025. Their meeting reflected Security Alignment, Regional Tensions rising in the Middle East & Afghanistan, Pak-Iran Coordination, Strategic Signalling-Balancing relations with Iran, Gulf States, and the United States. Later, Ali Larijani was assassinated in March during Iran war.
Whereas, if we recall the past incidents that Shia community suffered in Pakistan, After Iranian Revolution, Sectarian killings were normal in 1980’s, moving towards the emergence of militias like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Major Bombings begin in 2000’s, 2003 Quetta Mosque attack, 2004-2009-2013 Ashura attacks in Karachi & Quetta, Hazara Targeting (Balochistan), Parachinar incident, and several examples of incidents & victimization on the name of religion. I have witnessed a man criticizing the local police for the incident that occurred in the Rawalpindi attack, and this was not the first time. However, the attacks have significantly declined after major operations like Zarb-e-Azb & Radd-ul-Fasaad.
I was curious to understand if the Shia community thinks that the government had not supported or cooperated with them before or after the attacks. In this context, I had asked a Muslim Shia Scholar. The question was simple that current interior minister, Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, belongs to a Shia Community, specifically, if we talk about Sindh, we have prominent names like Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Senator Waqar Mehdi, and I have seen them working on security arrangements during Muharram and cooperating with the concerns. President Zardari, CM Murad Ali Shah, and PPP Provincial President Nisar Khuhro have met with Renowned Shia Scholar Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi for a condolence over the martyrdom of Rahbar Ayatollah Khomenei. The answer was simple: “Yes! The government cooperates with us, even sometimes they call us to preach & pray for the region’s stability”. Unfortunately, some people that does not belong to our community create these kinds of situations to defame us in front of the world.”
Nonetheless, Rahbar Ayatollah Khomenei will be remembered as the symbol of courage & bravery. His assassination not only reunited the Iran & Shia Community, but it has also re-ignited the courage to fight back, and we all know that religious or emotionally motivated war does not end easily, especially when you are Muslim.
In fact, the Iran-US conflict was rooted in the 1953 coup, and the turning point of the conflict resulted in the Iranian Revolution between 1979-81. Approx. 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days. The core dispute and the reason behind this war is Iran’s nuclear program.
In these crises, Public suggest Civil-Military heads should gather & give a message that under any circumstance “Pakistan is standing with the Muslim Ummah”. These Sunni-Shia deviations should be reduced for the sake of Humanity, Harmony, and Stability. For reference citation, I have an example of Sr. Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon’s Press briefing on the occasion of Eid. In his briefing, he also suggested and prayed for peace, harmony, and the Muslim ummah amid the ongoing war situation. Let me admit that I am not a foreign relations expert, but one thing that made me write this is an emotion that is intact with Muslim Ummah. According to my little knowledge, after the Parvez Musharraf regime, this is a tranquil situation to mediate between the US, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. I know that the suggestion may look absurd to respective leaders, but our history shows that victory doesn’t come with practical numbers or favorable situations. We have been winning the wars with faith in God. I think Saudi Arabia is not going to deny the PML-N leadership’s suggestions, and Iran will certainly not deny the PPP Leadership’s Suggestions. However, looking into the good gestures shown by the U.S President Trump towards the Prime Minister and Field Marshal during their official visit to the U.S., I think if the leadership collectively talks, they may succeed in negotiating for peace talks between Iran & Saudi Arabia, and Iran-US.
