Bad reputations are enduring and debilitating in their impact and keep haunting the person, entity or a country about which they come to be formed. Pakistan also had the image of a bad guy at the international level that earned it the epithet of ‘hub of terrorism’ as a consequence of the unimaginative policies pursued by the military dictators. The Frankenstein that they created and employed to achieve foreign policy objectives, standing true to its characteristic, came back to hit Pakistan with an unimaginable vengeance. Consequently Pakistan has paid a very heavy price in terms of men and material internally as well.

However it is indeed very satisfying to note that Pakistan is fast shedding its past baggage and is well poised to carve a new identity for itself; an identity of a state with zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations and a peace maker in the region and beyond. Thanks to the visionary new narrative in regards to conducting of foreign policy adopted by PML(N) government under the stewardship of Nawaz Sharif and unhesitatingly supported by the military leadership. The successes achieved against terrorists through operation Zarb-e-Azb and the implementation of NAP have undoubtedly contributed to building the new identity and adding an element of credibility to the anti-terror initiatives of the government. The encouraging reality is that this new narrative and new role as peace-maker is being duly acknowledged and accepted at the international level.

The diplomatic sojourn to Saudi Arabia and Iran by the Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf accompanied by COAS General Raheel Sharif to de-escalate tensions between the two brotherly Islamic countries is a ranting testimony of its role as a peacemaker and its acceptability. The vibes emanating from their interactions with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iran indicate that they have been able to convince both the countries about the desirability of settling their differences through dialogue. The leadership of the two countries has also appreciated their endeavours as a mediator and shown their willingness to take appropriate steps for defusing the situation. Iran reportedly has already taken action against those who attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran in the wake of the execution of Shia scholar Sheikh Nimr al Nimr.
The modalities of resolving the current crisis are likely to be worked out through the focal persons as proposed by Pakistan. Iran reportedly has agreed with the suggestion and Pakistan is likely to broach the subject with the Saudi leaders. Considering the decades old fault-lines that have existed between the two Muslim countries having a sectarian hue, no big breakthrough in regards to burying the hatchet was expected. But what has been achieved by Pakistan as a result of the unprecedented high-level diplomacy in the context of the current crisis is quite satisfying. The role that Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif has played is quite in conformity with the sentiments of the people of Pakistan from all spheres of national life. The leadership and vision shown by him in doing what he has done will tremendously contribute to refurbishing Pakistan’s image as a responsible and normal country.

Building strong relations with the Muslim countries, supporting their causes, orchestrating unity among the Muslim Ummah and assisting the Muslim countries to resolve disputes between them has invariably been the corner stone of foreign policies pursued by all the successive governments in Pakistan. But seeking to play a mediatory role between Saudi Arabia and Iran has a special significance in many respects. First of all, as the Prime Minister rightly said it was the religious duty and obligation of a Muslim to help in the resolution of a dispute between other Muslim brothers. Secondly Pakistan has very strong historic relations with Iran and a very special bonhomie with Saudi Arabia, which necessitated this role by it. Thirdly, Pakistan is intensely aware of the dangers lurking in the Middle East with all the accompanying potential to destabilize the region. The mounting tensions between these two important countries, whose role is very crucial in fighting the threats posed by IS, could jeopardize the security of the entire region with possible ripple effect in Pakistan and other Muslim states. It was therefore imperative for Pakistan to make sure that the differences between Saudi Arabia and Iran did not undermine the efforts of the international community to deal with the threat effectively. IS poses a common threat to all the Muslim countries, more so to the Muslim countries in the Middle Eastern region. That provides a common ground for the two countries to cooperate with each other to ward off the common threat to their security and territorial integrity.

Pakistan’s ability to play the role of a peace maker, particularly among the Muslim countries stems from the fact that it has invariably maintained a neutral posture in regards to differences between the Muslim countries. In the case of Saudi Arabia and Iran particularly, whose rivalry also has sectarian overtones, this factor helped Pakistan to earn acceptability of its peacemaking role and confidence of the feuding countries. It is pertinent to mention that Nawaz Sharif played similar roles during the Gulf War and the recent crisis in Yemen along with Turkey to prevent the likely military confrontation between the two countries.

Pakistan’s credentials as a peace maker have also been strengthened by the initiatives that it has taken in promoting process of reconciliation in Afghanistan; a role that has repeatedly been acknowledged by the international community with a tinge of trust unlike in the past. Its overtures towards India designed to normalize relations between the two countries and settling all disputes through dialogue are also being appreciated by the international community. The restraint and sense of responsibility shown by Pakistan in the wake of attack at Pathan kot airport and its willingness to cooperate with India in unmasking and dealing with the perpetrators of the attack have also endeared it well to the world community, who not only desire amity between the two countries but are also encouraging them to walk the talk.

The new narrative evolved by the government with the concurrence and support of the military establishment that represents a paradigm shift in the conduct of foreign relations and the resolve to sever links with the unenviable past, is a visionary move that is dictated by the lessons of the history and the unfolding of geo-political, geo-strategic and geo-economic realities which are going to determine the future and role of the regional countries at the global stage. It is therefore very much in Pakistan’s own interest to tread the newly chartered course not only to protect, safeguard and promote its own strategic interests but also to play a positive role in promoting peace and security in its own region and at the global level like a responsible state.