So, the Kingdom showed its macho side and attacked Yemen last week. Pakistan has been gawking ever since.

The amount of ambiguity and secrecy and rumors circulating in the air with regards to our participation in this war is thicker than blood. Yes, blood of our soldiers it seems. Amidst reports from the Saudi front that 12,000 Pakistani soldiers have been deployed to the peninsula alongside an unconfirmed number of Pakistani jets that seem to have flown over there to help the Kingdom defend itself against very bad Yeminis, our Government denies it all.

Like a good Pakistani, I should believe what my government says but that would mean end of all discussion, and that’ll be death to us as we thrive on drama. If our political scene were a soap, it would be the kind that leaves the streets deserted as it airs because everyone is glued to their television sets.

And so we nag on.

The news about the 12,000 Pakistani soldiers is deemed by some as Saudi propaganda to drag Pakistan in this war that will earn us no victories. I suppose that is why on every post where the experts and historians (and commoners like me) discuss the Gulf wars and wars on terror, there is a substantial number of commenters warning the NS government loud and clear to stay away from the current crisis in the Arabian Peninsula.

And then, there are those who are worried about the sanctity of the Kaaba.

“Do whatever you want but make sure the Kaaba is safe!” posted one very enthusiastic believer on one of The Nation’s own blogs.

Right. I’m curious if the said commenter ever realized that the Kaaba is in Makkah, Makkah is in Saudi Arabia, and it is Saudi Arabia that is attacking Yemen, not the other way around. That’s why one should at least read a little bit past the headlines. Or just read the headlines as in this case, they all do scream the Kingdom burns Sanaa – or something to that effect.

Speaking of headlines, this entire Muslim-on-Muslim violence has wired everyone up so much so that people are mistaking satire for actual news. The Israeli Daily’s satirical piece Israel Joins Saudi Coalition Against Yemen Uninvited went viral, and our people went wild with the curses.

Believe me, I wouldn’t be surprised if Israel did join this offensive, given their love for being offensive and also given the Kingdom’s acceptance of all their offences, the news of Israeli troops joining this war on Yemen is still not true. One can, of course, always go on reveling in conspiracies that this has Mossad/Israel written all over it. Because, again, we love drama.

So like, if it’s true – let’s dharna!

Which brings me to all the fabulous countrywide dharnas that are not taking place in favor of the Yemeni Muslims who are being killed mercilessly in their own homes, on their own turf simply because they have risen against a system they do not agree with in their own country. This uprising scared the House of Saud as they sat pompously on their thrones in their country, and so they decided to go bomb the heck out of the rebellious Yemenis in their country. It was particularly easy since the Houthis belong to a sect not-Saudi-approved alongside the rest of the Shafi’i population of Yemen. But that’s not what bothers me. Well, not as much as the fact that in spite of our social media going perfectly vocal about how much they disapprove of the current Saudi offensive, there isn’t anything to show for it on the political/religious front.

If this was about Gaza, or any other territory ravaged by any non-Muslim force, our political and religious frontrunners would’ve run mad. Wrecked neighborhoods in their rage as well as is the way of our zealous protestors. If this attack was in a western country endangering Muslims, especially Pakistanis, the way it is dong in Yemen, our cities would’ve been alive with rallies asking the government to save the poor souls.   

But not this time. Not for Yemen. Because long live the King!