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Policy shift after Sharif’s departure: Pak agrees to send more troops to Saudi Arabia, might soon get involved in Yemeni conflict

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8 years ago

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Policy shift after Sharif’s departure: Pak agrees to send more troops to Saudi Arabia, might soon get involved in Yemeni conflict

Above:  Army soldiers wave their weapons next to a car belonging to al Qaeda militants, destroyed during fighting, in the southeastern Yemeni province of Abyan in this handout photo provided by Yemen’s defence ministry on May 6, 2014/Photo: UNI

~By Sujit Bhar

Moving away from its earlier stated policy of not deploying armed forces or to get involved in Saudi Arabia’s conflict with Yemen, Pakistan has now decided to add more forces to its already existing 1,000 troops in Saudi Arabia, involved in various advisory and training roles, say reports quoting officials.

When the conflict broke out in West Asia and Saudi troops got involved, the kingdom had sent a strongly worded letter to the then Nawaz Sharif-led government of Pakistan, saying send troops or face action. Pakistan is heavily indebted to Saudi Arabia, with several of its basic needs being met with funds from the kingdom apart from a huge number of its nationals in work in the kingdom, sending back foreign exchange). Now, with even the US saying that it will not give any more defence-related finds to Pakistan, the country is facing a severe cash crunch. The Saudi order now must be used.

During Sharif’s rule, the proposition was placed before the Pakistani parliament and the proposal was defeated there. Hence Pakistan made it clear to the kingdom that it would not be possible to send troops who could get embroiled in the conflict. Saudi Arabia had not been happy about this.

This policy shift will be under a bilateral security cooperation treaty with the kingdom.

On Friday (February 16), at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, a meeting was held between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, reports have said. The Pakistani army’s announcement came immediately after that, indicating that the Saudis had put pressure on the Pakistani’s to honour the treaty.

According to reports, the announcement said: “In continuation of ongoing Pak-Saudi bilateral security cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on training and advise (sic) mission. These or troops already there will not be employed outside KSA…” The army, it said, “maintains bilateral security cooperation with many other Gulf/regional countries”.

The last part is, of course, a defensive statement that makes no sense in the present context.

The meeting with the Saudi ambassador was also talked about, with the army saying that they discussed matters of mutual interest including regional security situation.

How many troops are being sent? Leading Pakistani daily Dawn, quoting “multiple sources”, said that it might be the size of a composite brigade. Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, however, told the daily that the number would be lesser than a division.

Pakistan is facing a convoluted situation. While the entire conflict sees four major participants – Saudi Arabia, Russia, the US and Iran – Pakistan’s involvement in the conflict would not only mean involving itself in another regional conflict it cannot afford, but also would align itself against Iran, on who it has to rely to counter India, as well as to keep the trouble-torn Balochistan area under control. These are more serious regional – and close to home – concerns for Pakistan. For Pakistan, Yemen and Syria are faraway places where it can ill afford to go.

Meanwhile Yemen has sort of upped the ante against the Saudis – who have recently made huge arms purchases from the US – with the rebels regularly firing missiles towards the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia had set up an alliance of Muslim nations and its forces were being led by former Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif. That has yet to involve itself in the conflict and this recent addition of Pakistani troops could be through an indirect pressure exerted by Raheel Sharif. This has not been confirmed.

That this was developing was clear from Bajwa’s visit to the kingdom earlier this year where he had met officials including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Commander of Ground Forces Lt Gen Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz during his three-day stay.

As of now Pakistan says that its new batch of forces would be there in an advisory capacity. However, considering the amateurish nature of Saudi forces and its commanders, it is just a matter of time before Pakistani troops go all out into the battlefield. That will open a front far away from home for Pakistan. If the US experience of Pakistan is anything to go by, that involvement will not only result in body bags returning to Pakistan, but also will not add any credibility to an already discredited Pakistani army.

And considering the corrupt nature of the Pakistani army, its generals will benefit hugely (financially) from this deal. The country will remain as impoverished as it has always been.

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

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2 hours ago

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August 16, 2026

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Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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