‘A peaceful Afghanistan is vital for the entire region’

An interview with the former ambassador Zafarullah Shaikh

Eminent former ambassador Zafarullah Shaikh, who is also a practising lawyer, has over three decades of experience in Pakistan’s foreign services. He has the ability to captivate people with his astounding and astute knowledge of international affairs and world politics.

From 1974 through 2008, he had a distinguished career in foreign service, serving in various roles such as as deputy chief of protocol, counsellor, consul general, ambassador, and director general. He served in Pakistani missions in Tokyo, Dhaka, Jeddah, Kuwait, Frankfurt, Khartoum, and Algiers, among other places. He also held the position of director general [policy, planning, and personnel] in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.

Shaikh is also a multi-linguist, speaking Japanese and Bengali in addition to Arabic, German, French, and English, as well as Urdu, Sindhi, and other languages.

Even after his successful retirement, he continued to serve as a legal counsellor and consultant in a variety of public and private organisations.

When it comes to his family, education, and struggle, he hails from a noble and humble family of Khairpur district, where he received his education, including a Bachelor of Science (BSC) in 1967 from the University of Sindh and secured a top position in LL.B with a gold medal in 1969. His father was a prominent lawyer as well. In 1970, he founded a law college in Khairpur, which was nationalised a year later. However, the Khairpur Law College continues to operate well. In 1972, he passed the Civil Superior Services (CSS) examinations and joined the foreign services group.

The former ambassador speaks to Bol News on the changing global political landscape and the issues that Pakistan is facing, particularly in bilateral relations between the United States and Pakistan, as well as the impact of the Ukraine war on the countries.

United States President Joe Biden made a very damaging and off-the-cuff statement that Pakistan may be “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” since the country has nuclear weapons but no cohesion. What are the repercussions of this statement, which harms the reputation of a nuclear-power state?

Zafarullah Shaikh: I believe we should examine this statement from two perspectives. First, our foreign office should not have overreacted by summoning the US ambassador and issuing a demarche.

The United States has previously recognised the country’s nuclear assets as safe and secure. Furthermore, I commend Premier Shehbaz Sharif for providing a balanced response in this regard.

Second, it was a political comment by President Biden, who was speaking in the context of Russian influence in the world.

The US State Department issued back-to-back clarifications to boost ties with Pakistan a few days following the statement. We have always maintained positive relations with the US. Instead of issuing a demarche, we could have handled this situation diplomatically.

Will it (the statement) not discourage foreign investors from investing in Pakistan, and will it not economically harm our country?

ZS: No way! Such words or relations have little effect on investors who investigate the trade climate. Businesspeople examine the safety of their investments. Thanks to Allah, there is no alarming situation in the country, and they may invest in Gwadar, Tharparkar, Punjab, and the rest of the country without fear of losing their investements.

The US accuses Pakistan of assisting Afghan Talibans in taking over Afghanistan and eradicating US influence there, despite Pakistan’s repeated refusals. Could the comment have been well-planned and intended to send a clear message that the US has strained relations with Pakistan?

ZS: No! It was a political statement. A statement and the reality on the ground are not the same thing. Afghanistan has a tumultuous past. Nevertheless, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have remained cordial. A peaceful Afghanistan is critical not only for us, but for the entire region.

What will be the future of Afghanistan?

ZS: Afghanistan is in the grip of a major humanitarian crisis. The US wants an inclusive government in Afghanistan, but the Taliban regime has failed to do so. Our neighbouring country has severely restricted women’s education, employment, and other opportunities. This is the primary reason why no country, including Pakistan, has formally recognised the Taliban government.

Pakistan has received less international aid after the devastating rains and the subsequent floods in Sindh and the rest of the country. What are your thoughts about it?

ZS: I’m not sure how accurate it is, but according to media reports, a large amount of relief for flood victims has arrived from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, a number of European countries, and the United States. In addition, the donor conference is also scheduled for December.

What are your opinions on China?

ZS: China has dominated the world due to its economic policies, which include soft loans, low pricing, cheap labour, and galvanising its huge population. China has become an economic power as a result of these policies. Currently, trade tensions exist between the United States and China.

What are the US policies in Middle Eastern (ME) countries, with a concentration on Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria?

ZS: In my opinion, it is a conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as haves and have-nots. The West, mainly the United States, fomented wars in the Middle East, that resulted in serious damage to Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, and even the Gulf Region.

By selling arms and purchasing oil today, the US has adopted a “carrot and stick” approach in the Middle Eastern countries. The US-Saudi Arabia relationship has a rocky past. There has also been a shift in relations between Israel and some Gulf countries, and it appears that more Muslim countries may soon contemplate publicly recognising Israel.

The Ukraine conflict is currently the talk of the town. What is the cause of the conflict, and what are Russia’s intentions?

ZS: The West, particularly the United States, wanted Ukraine to join Nato, but Russia did not want Nato forces on its borders. As a result, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-fledged war against Ukraine in order to teach Western countries and the United States a lesson. He also ceased exporting oil and gas to European countries, which exacerbated the problem. Following a referendum held by Russia, the eastern portion of Ukraine has been annexed to the Russian Federation.

The US is currently pouring billions of dollars into Ukraine, arming and training Ukrainians to combat Russia. However, if the battle continues, Russia will benefit more in the future.

Will this [Ukraine] war have devastating effects on Pakistan, given that the country can import energy and commodities from Russia and Ukraine as needed?

ZS: No, I don’t believe so. The US has never prohibited Pakistan from importing Russian commodities.

The United Kingdom (UK) is no longer a member of the European Union (EU). In this current circumstance, could any EU countries join Russia or not?

ZS: The Ukraine war has already taught the UK and EU a valuable lesson and weakened them. A few countries may join Russia, but it will not become as dominant as the Soviet Union.

In light of the Ukraine war, world powers or small nations may form some major grouping in regional and international politics, might it be converted into the third World War?

ZS: Yes! As previously said, both world powers and small countries may establish some sort of alliance in the future. It might be the start of a third world war.

Is there a curtain of fear about the nuclear war hovering over countries?

ZS: Absolutely not! This is an epoch of hybrid war, or no direct war, conducted by countries’ intelligence organisations.

Every country’s spy agency has a different way of operating in numerous forms. If the United States initiates a nuclear war, Russia would undoubtedly respond, and much of the planet will melt like a candle.

There is only an infantry and aerial war between Ukraine and Russia in the present situation.