Now Reading: Pakistan’s Munir scores diplomatic win with Mecca pact
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Pakistan’s Munir scores diplomatic win with Mecca pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey last week signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, under which an armed attack on any one will be seen as an attack on all three. Field Marshal…
The Story in Brief
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey last week signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, under which an armed attack on any one will be seen as an attack on all three. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief and de facto leader, has used this and other deals to raise the country’s international standing while deepening ties with the US, China, Iran and Qatar, hindustantimes.com reports.
At home, however, Munir faces a stagnant economy and restive population. Since June, security forces have killed at least 30 people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during protests over poor economic conditions and lack of political representation. Imran Khan, the popular former prime minister and Munir’s nemesis, remains in prison. Diplomatic gains may prove fleeting unless Munir tackles these internal crises.
The Indian Opinion
Munir’s diplomatic juggling act is impressive, but the narrative that foreign pacts alone lift Pakistan’s fortunes ignores the army’s domestic repression. A civil society group counts 30 dead in Kashmir protests, yet the same institution that negotiates Mecca deals also suppresses dissent. The real test is whether Munir can deliver economic relief and political space before his five-year term ends, or if the Pakistan paradox deepens further.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
