Pakistan Jittery As Saudis Open Their Air Space To Israeli Planes

Abhishek Mehrotra Jul 15, 2022

Pakistan government is jittery and alarmed over reports that said the Saudi government had offered to open up its air space to Israeli planes. Indicative of a thaw in relations, the latest announcement by the Saudi government could trigger a series of changes in the geopolitical situation in the strife torn west Asia, observers point out.

An announcement late last night by the Saudi government said its air space was now open for Israeli planes. The two countries were in talks for a long time. In fact the two had showed some interest in coming closer after 2020 when Israel and Philistine negotiated a peace deal, allowing Israeli planes to use the air space.

The latest move by the Saudi government could hasten a political rapprochement heralding an era of comparative peace in the region.

It was the Palestinian cause which had widened the chasm between Pakistan, some other Islamic countries and Israel. But now the whole scenario could change after a thaw in relations on one to one basis. Already Oman and Bahrein have forged friendly working relations with Israel, to their economic advantage.

Pakistani rulers are clearly helpless as they seemingly have no role left to play. For the moment all they can do is to watch, as they feel handicapped by several factors, including the fear of a backlash by the fundamentalists in Pakistan.

A section wants to make friendly overtures to Israel, but is reluctant to openly admit that for obvious reasons. Political observers have however noted that a section of the military top brass is keen to forge ties with Israel which could help Pakistan presently in a deep crisis. A retired general said a few days ago that while the whole world was in a state of configuring relationships based on mutual interest promotion, why Pakistan should continue to follow the dated foreign policy based on religion, which had isolated it from the world and forced it to maintain a hostile posture. This statement indicates a churning process now going on in Pakistan’s top army echelons. Israel’s growing proximity with Islamic countries of West Asia, is causing a lot of unease and discomfort in Pakistan. Policy makers were already jittery due to Israel’s very strong ties with India, and now with Saudis mending fences, the alarm and concern level in Pakistan has gone up dangerously high.

Past experience shows that the Islamic fundamentalists do not allow leeway and frown upon any efforts to forge relations with hostile countries. The Pakistan politicians are scared to open their mouths to plead for a pragmatic foreign policy. In fact members of a Pakistani delegation after a visit to Israel had to face violent demonstrations on return. One member was unceremoniously shunted from his job by a TV channel.

Pakistan is firmly in the grips of mullahs and sectarian fundamentalists. The moderates, if any, have no courage to question government policy. The obscurantist elements have ensured that Pakistan remains isolated and cut off from the global mainstream.

Meanwhile, the Saudi announcement of allowing air space to Israel, has opened a new era of possibilities. As far as India is concerned, the changes in equations in West Asia, brings relief and hope, as relations built on mutual trust and benefits, can be a trigger to peace and prosperity in the region.