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The mirage of diplomacy


  • Noor ul Ain Ali
  • Jan 29, 2025

LAHORE: Last week, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s welcoming of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to Pakistan should have been a moment of celebration for the country. Instead, it has turned into yet another example of how Pakistan’s priorities are dangerously misaligned with the needs of its own people. The visit, meant to solidify ties between the two nations, centered around something far more disturbing; Houbara Bustard hunting, a practice that involves killing an endangered species. This isn’t just about hunting. It’s about the stark contrast between the hospitality we extend to foreign dignitaries and the neglect we show to our own citizens.

Let’s take a closer look at Rahim Yar Khan, the city that has become a focal point for these hunting trips. Despite the fact that this region remains one of the least developed in Pakistan, its airport has received massive upgrades in order to facilitate the arrival of these foreign visitors. This is not about improving the quality of life for the locals. No, the investment here is to ensure that the visiting Arab princes can land directly in Rahim Yar Khan to hunt down the Houbara Bustard. Meanwhile, the people of this city, living in poverty, continue to face the harsh realities of underdevelopment and inadequate infrastructure.

But the development of this airport for foreign elites isn’t the most shocking part. What’s truly disturbing is how this situation has evolved. The same locals, who once provided warmth and hospitality to these royal visitors, are now being kept at arm’s length. Today, the authorities ensure that these dignitaries are protected by tight security measures, military forces, and paramilitary personnel. The people who once opened their homes to these visitors now find themselves excluded from even the most basic interactions. All of this, just to please a few foreign royals.

The criticism from ordinary Pakistanis is palpable. They see the government’s actions as an exercise in self-interest, not in the interest of the nation. The people aren’t stupid. They know that this “hospitality” isn’t about strengthening foreign relations, it’s about creating optics. It’s about giving the appearance of good diplomacy when, in reality, it’s just a hollow gesture. As one diplomat pointed out in an interview with the BBC, providing this hospitality doesn’t translate into any tangible benefits for Pakistan. In fact, it’s been two years since we were promised a flood of investments; $25 billion back in Kakat’s era, and $10 billion under Shahbaz Sharif. Yet, nothing materialized. All that’s left is a temporary rollover of debt. Is this really what Pakistan’s future hinges on?

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economic situation continues to worsen. The government’s approach to foreign relations is doing nothing to lift us out of the economic quagmire. The real solution isn’t in pleasing foreign princes or making promises that are never kept. The solution lies within our borders. Pakistan needs an environment conducive to business and innovation. We need reforms that prioritize local entrepreneurs, infrastructure that benefits the people, and policies that actually make a difference. No foreign investor, no matter how wealthy can replace the internal reforms needed for long-term economic growth. It’s time for our government to wake up to this reality.

And let’s talk about the Houbara Bustard for a moment. This isn’t just a bird. It’s part of a fragile ecosystem that is rapidly being destroyed. The government’s actions aren’t just harmful to Pakistan’s economy, they are also harming the environment. Each time the Houbara Bustard is killed, the entire ecosystem suffers. When one species goes extinct, up to 30 others that depend on the same environment are at risk. And yet, the government continues to prioritize the whims of foreign dignitaries over the well-being of the environment and the people it is meant to serve.

This isn’t just about hunting. This is about a deeper issue: legitimacy. Pakistan’s government seems to believe that by cozying up to foreign royals, it can secure validation on the global stage. The government’s desperation for international approval is evident in its efforts to cultivate strong ties with UAE and Saudi Arabia. But let’s not kid ourselves, this is more than just diplomacy. It’s a strategic move to counter the opposition’s narrative within Pakistan and gain favor with global power structures. The relationship with Saudi Arabia, in particular, seems to be about more than just trade, it’s about navigating the delicate political landscape, especially given the strained relations between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. It’s also about aligning with figures like Jared Kushner, who played a key role in shaping Trump’s Middle Eastern policies.

But this obsession with foreign approval is misguided. The Pakistani government should focus on building a strong internal foundation rather than relying on the fleeting approval of foreign powers. The reality is that the government’s actions are alienating the very people it’s supposed to serve. As it continues to bend over backward to please foreign princes, it is failing to address the root causes of Pakistan’s economic and social crises.

The truth is simple: no amount of diplomatic pleasantries or royal visits is going to solve Pakistan’s problems. The government must stop chasing empty promises of investment and focus on creating a sustainable, prosperous future for its people. The government needs to stop viewing its legitimacy as something that can be bought through foreign flattery. The true legitimacy of a government lies in how well it serves its own citizens, not how well it serves foreign interests.

In the end, Pakistan needs to rethink its priorities. Pleasing foreign royals with their hunting trips will not lead to prosperity. Protecting endangered species, reviving the economy, and improving the lives of ordinary Pakistanis should be the focus. Until then, these lavish gestures and empty promises will remain nothing more than a mirage, an illusion of progress while the country continues to spiral into deeper crises.

Author

Noor ul Ain Ali

The writer is a freelancer.

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