English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

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

Published

9 years ago

on

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.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

LPU students protest over reported rape allegation, police call it rumour

Students at Lovely Professional University protested over a reported rape allegation involving a worker, with police describing the claim as a rumour.

Published

22 hours ago

on

September 27, 2026

By

Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab staged a protest after an allegation involving the reported rape of a student by a worker at the university surfaced.

The protest led to disruption around the university, with students taking to the streets and blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, according to the report.

The allegation triggered anger among students, who demanded action over the reported incident.

Police describe rape claim as rumour

Police, however, described the rape claim as a rumour, indicating that the allegation had not been established as a confirmed incident.

The distinction is important because the reported sexual assault allegation should not be treated as a confirmed rape unless investigators or other authoritative sources establish that fact.

The protests nevertheless continued as students sought clarity and action over the issue.

Protest disrupts traffic

The student demonstration also affected traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. The protest brought attention to the allegations and the concerns being raised by students at the university.

With police calling the claim a rumour, further verification and investigation would be necessary to establish what actually happened.

Continue Reading

India News

INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Rahul-Gandhi

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise. 

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process. 

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt. 

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously. 

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting. 

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

  • Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
  • The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
  • Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
  • A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
  • A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

Continue Reading

India News

“Will die but won’t give up”: Sahil Wakode’s parents urge IIT students to continue fight 

Sahil Wakode’s parents have appealed to IIT Bombay students to continue their fight for justice amid the ongoing investigation into their son’s death.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Sahil Wakode

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have appealed to students to continue raising their voices and fighting for justice following their son’s death.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, died in his hostel room on September 18. His death has led to student protests and an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

What Sahil Wakode’s parents have alleged

Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay before his death. They have sought action against those they hold responsible and have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family has also called for a CBI inquiry and has sought the arrest of officials named in the case. These remain allegations and are part of the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the probe after an FIR was registered following the complaint by Sahil’s parents.

IIT Bombay’s position

IIT Bombay has said that Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Investigation continues

The case remains under investigation, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the allegations made by his family.

His parents have continued to demand justice and action against those they believe were responsible, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the case.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com