Pakistan's position in the Syrian Civil War

Since the start of the Syrian Civil War, Pakistan has adopted a policy of alliance and increased its political role in the unfolding of the crisis on the world stage.[1] Historically, Pakistan and Syria have maintained cordial economic, social and defence relations; Pakistan was one of the countries that provided tacit military assistance to Syria against Israel during the Yom Kippur conflict.[2][3][4]

Pakistan and Syria.

The conflict has been compounded and complicated by opposing interests of regional and international players. Due to the murky political situation in Syria, the government of Pakistan found it extremely difficult to take a stance on the initial stages of the Syrian crises.[5] Since 2012, Pakistan has strongly emphasised a peaceful political resolution of the Syrian crises, as opposed to any military actions against Syria.[6]

On 17 February 2014, Islamabad stated its support for "the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers enabling it to take charge of the affairs of the country". The statement, which was made in the wake of a Saudi delegation's visit to Pakistan, was thought to suggest a policy shift although a Pakistani government official stated that there was no change in Pakistan's principle policy on Syria.[7]

In spite of Saudi Arabia forming an alliance to coordinate military operations in Syria, Pakistan has adopted the stance against it and stressed its role as strict neutrality.[8] On 27 December 2015, Pakistan officially stated that "it is against any attempt to topple government of Syrian President Bashar al Assad."[8]

Rhetoric at the UN

Diplomacy: 2011–12

The political unrest began on 15 March 2011, as they were part of the wider Middle Eastern protest movement known as the Arab Spring. When the political unrest turned into an active armed conflict, Pakistan adopted a strict neutrality whilst maintaining a discreet silence over this issue.[9] During the United Nation Security Council session held in 2011, Pakistan joined China and Russia in voting against a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council condemning the violence in Syria.[9] Immediately, Pakistan called for a political settlement through an "inclusive" dialogue in 2012.[10] Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Zamir Akram was quoted as saying, "My country has always believed that "naming and shaming" is an approach which is counterproductive."[9] At the UN, Pakistan abstained from voting that vetoed on Syria sanctions as the Pakistan Permanent Representative to the United Nations read Pakistan's position and statement policy: Pakistan saw that unity needed on the matter was not witnessed, and there was a lack of "constructive spirit" in the run up to the draft resolution being put to a vote.[11] Instead, Pakistan together with Britain, submitted a new draft resolutions that was aimed to authorize an extension to the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).[12]

Commenting in this view, former statesman, Khurshid Kasuri, maintained that Pakistan's silence is a product of "historical links between the Bhutto and al-Assad families."[9]

Conference held by Iran, Pakistan urged the international community to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.[13] In 2012, Pakistan took a strong position in support of Syria government and against the intervention of foreign forces in Syria, and issued a warning against a foreign military strikes in Syria.[14][15] The Foreign minister, Hina Khar, said that "it is our considered view that any outside intervention would further complicate an already very complex situation. It must be avoided."[15] The Foreign Office released an official statement regarding Pakistan's position which eliminated all ambiguity over this issue stating categorically that Pakistan wants a peaceful resolution of the issue based on the principles of non-intervention, non-interference, and, of course, non-use of force.[15]

Peace initiatives in 2013

Official stand of the Pakistan government strongly exhorted towards peaceful solution of Syrian crises as well as opposing any military actions against Syria.[16][17] In 2013, National Security Adviser, Sartaj Aziz, released an official policy statement as quoted: "Pakistan's stand on Syria is based on principles of international law and UN Charter to respect [t]erritorial integrity of Syria; the policy of non-military or otherwise intervention and interference; settlement of dispute; and transition or transfer of power through peaceful means."[18]

In 2013, Pakistan strongly condemned the chemical weapons attacks in Ghouta and strongly urged the United States and western powers to avoid use of military force in Syria. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Chaudhry maintained that Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. He expressed deep concerns over the ongoing violence and threat of possible American military action looming large over already embattled Syria.[19] Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry also strongly condemned the alleged use of chemical weapons of Syrian government, "All the engaged parties should adopt course of dialogue instead of violence and peaceful resolution of the conflict should be sought out", the Foreign Office spokesperson quoted.[19] The National Security Adviser, Sartaj Aziz, who was briefing the Parliament over this issue said that: "Pakistan condemns the use of chemical weapons, but it does not support aerial strikes which the U.S. proposes as it will only make the situation "more concerning".[20] Aziz strongly exhorted to the U.S and UK at the Parliament that "We should wait for the UN mission’s report on Syria."[20]

Operation Olive Branch

After Turkey, Pakistan's long time ally, launched Operation Olive Branch, which aimed to defeat the Kurdish group YPG and the Syrian Army, Pakistan, which has a Baloch and Pashtun presence, has maintained a neutral stance.

However, Pakistani students on January 24, 2018 had attended to pray in the University of Lahore in support for Turkish military operation in Syria which aimed against Assad's Syria,[21] which raised angers among Assad supporters in Syria as well as Kurds, and thus raising the question over Pakistan's pledge to support Bashar al-Assad. Syrians who aligned to Bashar al-Assad have perceived Pakistan negatively since the war began.

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References
  1. "Experts extol Pakistan's Syria policy". The Nation (Pakistan). 12 August 2012. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  2. Bidanda M. Chengappa (1 January 2004). Pakistan: Islamisation Armed Forces And Foreign Policy. APH Publishing. pp. 42–. ISBN 978-81-7648-548-7. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  3. Simon Dunstan (20 April 2003). The Yom Kippur War 1973 (2): The Sinai. Osprey Publishing. pp. 39–. ISBN 978-1-84176-221-0. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. P.R. Kumaraswamy (11 January 2013). Revisiting the Yom Kippur War. Routledge. pp. 75–. ISBN 978-1-136-32895-4. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  5. Director, Islamabad Policy Research Institute. "Pakistan's Response to Syrian Crisis" (PDF). Director, Islamabad Policy Research Institute. IPRI report, 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  6. Staff reports (Sep 27, 2013). "Pakistan calls for political solution to Syria crisis". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  7. "Ouster of Assad regime: Riyadh wins Islamabad's support on Syria". Express Tribune. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  8. Haider, Mateen (24 December 2015). "Syrian crisis: Pakistan against any attempt to topple Bashar al-Assad". Dawn newspapers, Haider. Dawn newspapers. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  9. Imtiaz, Saba (August 9, 2011). "Rights violations: Pakistan maintains discreet silence over Syria protest". Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  10. "Pakistan sticks to its principled stand on Syrian crisis". The Nation (Pakistan). 1 September 2012. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  11. AFP (July 19, 2012). "Pakistan abstains from vetoed UN vote on Syria sanctions". Tribune Express, 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  12. Gladstone, Rick (19 July 2012). "Friction at the U.N. as Russia and China Veto Another Resolution on Syria Sanctions". New York Times, UNSC. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  13. Baqir Sajjad Syed (2012-08-09). "Pakistan backs Syrian govt, opposes foreign intervention". Dawn News archives, area studies. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  14. Ali, Baqari Sajjad. "Pakistan backs Syrian govt, opposes foreign intervention". Dawn area studies (Syria). Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  15. Agha Iqrar Haroon (10 August 2012). "Syria says no to foreign intervention". STN. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  16. Subohi, Afshan (1 September 2013). "Syrian crisis: fallout on Pakistan". Dawn News (area studies) views. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  17. By Kamran Yousaf (August 30, 2013). "FO briefing: Pakistan opposes military action in Syria". Express Tribune, 2013. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  18. News Desk (30 August 2013). "Pakistan wants peaceful solution to Syria crisis". Geo News, Area Studies. Archived from the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  19. "Pakistan urges strong American restraint over Syria". The Nation (Pakistan). 1 September 2013. Retrieved 2019-11-27.
  20. By APP (30 August 2013). "Breakthrough expected on drone issue, says Sartaj Aziz". Express Tribune, 2013. Archived from the original on 4 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  21. Şafak, Yeni. "Pakistani students pray for Turkey's victory in Syria". Yeni Şafak (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 2018-06-21. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
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