THE collective memory of Muslim societies, particularly in the West and South Asia, is based on the persistent idea that since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire they have been in need of a joint response to challenges ranging from politics to defence. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia may be seen as something of a pioneer on this front with the creation of the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism in 2015, which was partly the basis for the recently concluded Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. However, Pakistan has always championed such ambitions. The roots go much further back, with the Baghdad Pact representing an important milestone in that journey.

The concept of a collective Muslim response has been conceived and framed in different ways, from the idea of the ummah to its more structured institutional expression within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Its character has continued to evolve as changing political objectives have redirected the ideological orientation of Muslim states. In Pakistan’s case, however, this idea has shaped not only the country’s ideology but also its internal politics and models of state structure.

There is little doubt that Pakistan’s growing role in the Gulf, beginning with Trump’s Gaza peace plan, followed by the Islamabad MoU and now the Makkah accord, has boosted the country’s confidence. However, when its leadership looks inward at the political and economic conditions, the contrast undermines some of the confidence gained from its successes in an evolving geopolitical environment. This disparity frustrates the power elite, that wants to address internal problems immediately and sustain the country’s momentum in the external arena.

To achieve........

© Dawn