Pakistan poised to dispatch army to Saudi Arabia (2 Div)

[HAIDER]

Pakistan is prepared to move two army divisions into Saudi Arabia to protect the kingdom in the event of any outbreak of trouble, such as what has happened in Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Libya and other Middle East and North African nations, informed sources say in a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

It also is ready to help recruit ex-Pakistani military personnel for Bahrain's national guard, the sources report.

The sources said the decision was reached reluctantly, but it puts Sunni Islam-majority Pakistan alongside other Sunni Muslim partners, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, in a move that apparently is intended to assure that Sunni Islam remains dominant in the Arab world.

The perception is that the influence of Shiite Islam-dominated Iran is on the rise.

Ironically, Pakistan and Iran have had a history of close political, economic and military relations. Their relationship was so close that Pakistan's A.Q. Khan, known as the father of the Pakistani nuclear bomb, provided nuclear assistance to Iran.

Given Iran's nuclear ambitions, sources say the alignment of nuclear-armed Pakistan with a broad Sunni Muslim bloc of countries by offering the two army divisions to Saudi Arabia is designed to blunt the "emerging Shiite crescent in the Middle East."

As a further show of support to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan has organized and recruited some 1,000 ex-army personnel for service in the national guard of Bahrain.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa recently requested troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to put down increasingly violent demonstrations by the Shiites, who make up some 70 percent of the population. Saudi Arabia and the UAE each recently sent some 1,000 troops and logistical support to Bahrain.

Khalifa and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz accuse Iran of fomenting the demonstrations with the idea of taking over the island country between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf.

"The recent political upheaval in the Arab world from North Africa and now engulfing the Gulf region monarchial kingdoms has shaken the very fundamentals of the underpinnings of United States security framework in the Gulf region," according to Subhash Kapila of the South Asia Analysis Group.

"The United States security architecture in the Gulf region rested on the continuance of existing autocratic U.S.-friendly monarchies presiding over the oil riches of this region," he said.

"Herein emerges Pakistan army's strategic indispensability and strategic utility to both the United States and Saudi Arabia in securing the status-quo in the Gulf region for all of them," he added.
Pakistan poised to dispatch army to Saudi Arabia

 

[AstanoshKhan]

A slave has to do what his master asks him to do. These Army bufffoons cannot save their own people on their own soil but yet they are ready to serve the Kingdom who are solemnly responsible in putting Pakistan in such a mess.

 

[Omar1984]

Be neutral Pakistan. Neutrality would be the best for Pakistan in this case. Avoid any bad relations with Iran, bad relations with Iran is what India wants for Pakistan.

And what does Pakistan get in return for protecting the Saudi king's fat a$$.

 

[flameboard]

Bad international relations will meet Pakistan in the end. Pakistan will loose Iran and it's oil. It will loose good relations with Bahrain if the people win or Saudi Arabia if people take over, over there as well. Plus human rights violations will make it easier for nations to impose sanctions if they wish to in the future. All in all a bad Idea. Pakistan needs to reserve its army for the current problems in the north to itself, it has a good excuse to giv to the Saudis.

These are the same Saudis behind endangering Pakistan wildlife. Promoting corruption and funding terrorism.

 

[muse]

Soon you will see this whole effort being described in sectarian terms -- once again, the FAUJ has been unable to look past the Wahabi princes, their Dollars and the ever present US

Yes, it's true that Pakistan has maintained a strategic promise along with the WEST to protect the oil fields - but that was supposed to be against the Soviets, not the people, not Muslims -- yes, it's true that Pakistan had promised these Princes that it would protect them, but against foreign aggression, not against what are supposed to be their people ---- I hope this news is not true, I hope for good or bad this army can be brought under control, because she is leading us from the pan in to the fire, again!

 

[Bang Galore]

One interesting point. Pakistan can move two whole divisions all the way to Saudi Arabia and is reluctant to move troops to its western border because of the perceived threat from India? It could be argued that relocation from the western border to the Eastern one would take a relatively short time when compared to moving them back from Saudi Arabia. Funny world!

 

[Bhairava]

One interesting point. Pakistan can move two whole divisions all the way to Saudi Arabia and is reluctant to move troops to its western border because of the perceived threat from India? It could be argued that relocation from the western border to the Eastern one would take a relatively short time when compared to moving them back from Saudi Arabia. Funny world!

Moving to Saudi has its own 'perks'. Doesnt it ?

BTW good move this is for India as Iran's suspicion about Pakistan will be even more pronounced from now on.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Interesting to hear that Pakistan is planning to send TWO divs. to KSA to protect some Bedouin Chiefs from the expected wrath of their own people. While the PA was unable to commence ops in North Waziristan citing lack of resources or to scale down forces on the Eastern border for a similar reason.

Now one has to wait and see Iran's response to this move. And people desperately want to believe that there is no sectarian divide in the 'so-called' Ummah.

Very Interesting indeed!

 

[SEAL]

One interesting point. Pakistan can move two whole divisions all the way to Saudi Arabia and is reluctant to move troops to its western border because of the perceived threat from India? It could be argued that relocation from the western border to the Eastern one would take a relatively short time when compared to moving them back from Saudi Arabia. Funny world!

Pakistan already withdrawn 1Lac troops from Indian border now its bharati army turn to withdraw 1Lac troops.

 

[fatman17]

'poised' mean what - troops are waiting at the airport for the green light!!! - this whole discussion is based on 'mere conjecture' - even during the days of Gen.Zia, only 1 brigade was stationed in KSA. i have my doubts on the 'credibility' of this article.

 

[Icarus]

I have seen plenty of criticism aimed at the army on this thread, that their interests revolve around dollars, wahabis, oil and what not but can any of you gentlemen please tell me if the Army can deploy itself on it's own accord ? Talk some sense God damn it ! The Army moves where it is told to move by the govt, today it is KSA, tomorrow it will be Guatemala, who knows............

 

[muse]

I hope it is bogus, but there is much apprehension that Pakistan will not be able to resist the Arbi and the American - it should be pointed out that prince Bandar and a Bahraini minister were allowed to meet with Gen. Kiyani, in the context of events in Bahrain

 

[Icarus]

A slave has to do what his master asks him to do. These Army bufffoons cannot save their own people on their own soil but yet they are ready to serve the Kingdom who are solemnly responsible in putting Pakistan in such a mess.

Your post has no factual value so I will post no reply to it, however, I will request you to mind your manners......

 

[Tayyab1796]

Guys Pakistan is caught between 'the rock and a hard place' to be fair . Saudi Arabia will boil into heavy bloodshed if there is a revolution there ... the status quo is the best for both Pakistan and our economy as well . PA should ensure that they are seen more as a deterent on Saudi soil rather then hostile towards reformists , while i agree this is a 'very high risk ' move . Saudi monarchs have helped us through thick and thin (post nuclear explosions , in earthquakes , floods , aid ) and we must not forget this ( alot of our people work in Saudi as well ... oh ok they r ripped off at times but there r good n bad people everywhere ) , while i don't want our soliders killing reformists as well (as i said we r stuck between the 'rock and a hard place ' now ) .

 

[Omar1984]

Guys Pakistan is caught between 'the rock and a hard place' to be fair . Saudi Arabia will boil into heavy bloodshed if there is a revolution there ... the status quo is the best for both Pakistan and our economy as well . PA should ensure that they are seen more as a deterent on Saudi soil rather then hostile towards reformists , while i agree this is a 'very high risk ' move . Saudi monarchs have helped us through thick and thin (post nuclear explosions , in earthquakes , floods , aid ) and we must not forget this ( alot of our people work in Saudi as well ... oh ok they r ripped off at times but there r good n bad people everywhere ) , while i don't want our soliders killing reformists as well (as i said we r stuck between the 'rock and a hard place ' now ) .

The Saudis need to give Pakistan something BIG for doing this favor, and I mean something really BIG in the lines of something like free oil for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for 50 years. This is a huge sacrafice Pakistan is making especially in our foreign diplomacy with our immediate neighbour, Iran.