Tazeen Akhtar
In a very important gesture, Pakistan has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine that is being seen as near to a policy shift on Russia and Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister of Pakistan was sitting with Russian President on 24th Feb 2022 when Russia launched the invasion on Ukraine. This sparked a debate in the West and the East that Pakistan is with Russia against Ukraine.
I criticized first that Prime Minister Imran should not have payed the visit to Russia at this crucial time and later I noted Pakistan can lose a lot if this impression prevails. Now the dispatch of humanitarian aid in the presence of Ambassador of Ukraine at MOFA Pakistan can be seen as a possible shift in the Pakistani stand on invasion so far.
Russia Invades Ukraine While Pakistani PM was @ Kremlin in Meeting with the Aggressor President
Mr. Markiian Chuchuk, Ukrainian envoy was present in the dispatch event along with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood. The presence of both top officials of Foreign Office of Pakistan expresses the importance of Ukraine for Pakistan. Third high official of Pakistan present was Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Akhtar Nawaz, a Lt General.
The humanitarian aid includes :
Emergency medicines, Electro-medical equipment, Winter bedding & Food items. MOFA spokesperson terms the dispatch of aid as response to Ukrainian appeal. But it is not as simple as is being portrayed by the officials. 2 special C130 flights of Pakistan Airforce are being sent to deliver more than 1-5 tons of humanitarian assistance items for Ukrainian refugees.
The dispatch arrangements were on Noor Khan Airbase that is administered by Pakistan Air Force. High officials of PAF were present at the occasion.
Prime Minister’s visit to Russia and meeting with President Putin at a time when the host country was launching big scale disastrous invasion on a small neighboring country was more than controversial and objectionable decision by many in Pakistan including the opposition parties. Pakistani people do not know much about Ukraine but they know that Ukraine is small country compared to Russia. Pakistanis remember that how Russia invaded Afghanistan and what consequences the Afghan war brought to Pakistan.
Russia vs Ukraine & Pakistan – Wrong Timing of Moscow Visit with Wrong Vision in Wrong Way
Prime Minister’s meeting with Putin taken aback Europe, Americas, Turkey, Japan and many other countries. It was like supporting Putin at a time when world leaders were criticizing Russian dictations to and aggressive stand against Ukraine. In addition, PM Imran shared later that Pakistan will import Russian wheat and gas. I noted in my previous article that PM himself boasts everywhere that Pakistan had bumper crops in current year. Then why wheat is to be imported from Russia? Regarding gas, I noted that when we have gas on our borders from Turkmenistan and Iran, why from Russia?
Ukraine is bigger partner of Pakistan in civil and military sectors than Russia. Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Mr. Ganich could recall a sale of 4 or 5 ordinary aircrafts to Pakistan many years ago in an interview on 22 Feb, one day before PM Imran flew to Moscow. The larger portion of Ukraine Pakistan trade consists of Military equipment from Kyiv. That is the reason, Pakistani ambassador to Kyiv is always a military person.
It was my all time opinion that sooner or later, Ukraine Russia matter will not remain attached to Government only and Pakistani military will definitely suggest a balanced approach with the Prime Minister. Here I give reference of my articles again in which I published that Pakistani Gov and Military are looking at the issue with different point of view. Example is meeting of Pak Ambassador Maj Gen R Khokhar with Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine only a couple of days before the Prime Minister embarked on Russian tour.
I am privy to another information that Ambassador of Ukraine was looking forward to meeting with Chief of Army Staff only to share the latest situation of war and seek support against the aggression keeping in view the close relations of Pakistan military with Ukrainian defense sector. But certainly, the Chief of Army Staff is highly sensitive position to remain non controversial both in Pakistan and in the world as well. Reluctantly, the meeting could not take place. However other way of conveying the concern for Ukraine, against the Russian invasion could have been adopted. Dispatch of humanitarian aid can be seen in the same connection.
Question rises that Military has convinced Prime Minister? Foreign Minister attended the dispatch on the direction of PM? Is PM alone on the matter or by passed? Things will further unfold in the coming days.
