Think Bigger, Act Wiser

It was concluded in my column titled “ OIC: Eagle or Ostrich?” published on September 17, 2025, “It is a decisive moment. Pakistan should take the lead in forming a strong Muslim Military Alliance (MMA), with headquarters based in Islamabad, Pakistan; converting IMCTC into a potent NATO-like alliance, in which all OIC countries must have representation with significant contributions from Iran, Türkiye, Egypt, KSA, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Rich Muslim states should share the major economic burden. The proposed MMA should align closely with the Security Forum of SCO (China) and CSTO (Russia). United we stand, divided we fall!”

  The Israeli Air raids on Qatar on 10 September had sent a shock-wave across the GCC / Arab world. However, despite the OIC Special Summit held in Doha Qatar on 15 September, the persistent lack of unity and mutual differences failed to imbue desired commitment for collective physical response to unrestrained Israeli onslaught in the region. The resource rich GCC states felt quite exposed and vulnerable despite billions of dollars defence spending and hosting large American military footprints on their territories.

It was also stated in the above quoted column, “Alhamdulillah, Pakistan Armed Forces are strongest among the Muslim states with effective nuclear deterrence and counter-strike capability in place. Recently, the whole world witnessed its manifestation when Pakistan Armed Forces gave a jaw-breaking response to Indian air raids on Pakistan from 7 to 10 May 2025; and the Indian attempt to copycat Israel with intelligence, technological and drones support from her backfired with multifaceted heavy backlash.” While the other GCC/ Arab countries are still dazed and in awe, the crown Prince of KSA Muhammad Bin Salman acted wiser and quicker. Resultantly, on the heels of OIC inconclusive Summit, 0n 17 September 2025, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan signed a formal mutual defence pact in a move that significantly strengthens a decades-long security partnership amid heightened regional tensions. The enhanced defence ties come as Gulf Arab states grow increasingly wary about the reliability of the US as their longstanding security guarantor – concerns heightened by Israel’s attack in Qatar.

 According to The Guardian, “The pact on Wednesday could shift the strategic calculus in a complex region. Gulf monarchies – allies of Washington – have sought to stabilise ties with both Iran and Israel to resolve longstanding security concerns”. A statement from the Pakistani prime minister’s office said: “This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression”. Besides command of KSA based IMCTC, since 1967, Pakistan has trained more than 8,200 Saudi armed forces personnel, and the two sides have also held several joint military exercises.

The wisdom of Pak-Saudi defence pact notwithstanding, the barbed side of bilateral-ism instead of multilateralism needs to be analysed prudently. The threat to KSA or even Qatar and Bahrain(likely to follow KSA example) and some other GCC countries do not come from Israel alone; but from Iran sponsored ‘The Axis of Resistance’ apparently meant to fight USA and Israeli influence; which is an informal coalition of Iranian-supported militant and political organizations across the Middle East. It most notably includes the Lebanese Hezbollah, Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces, the Yemeni Houthis and Gaza based Hamas and a variety of other Palestinian militant groups. The United States designates most of these groups as terrorist organizations. Despite this, between 2014 and 2017, reportedly militant groups within the axis under the command of late Qasem Soleimani coordinated with U.S. military forces against the Islamic State (IS) organization during the war in Iraq (2013–2017). 

In any case, the GCC/ Arab sates are under heavy influence of USA and UK closely followed by India, which is Pakistan’s sworn foe; therefore, balancing and matching all sides’ colours of the Rubik's Cube is bound to present great challenges. Pakistan is also under heavy foreign debt and always under pressure from the US/IMF & World Bank, which KSA and other security seeking GCC States can help to get rid-off once for all. 

One can hope with due optimism that the Pakistan-Saudi Defence Agreement would pave the way for full realisation of the conclusion in the beginning of this piece. For that, Pakistan’s incumbent decision makers must Think Bigger and Act Wiser. Based on personal experience, I can suggest that it is the right time for executing the most extensive military diplomacy all across the Muslim world; especially with GCC/ Arab states. And when the due preparations are in place, Pakistan must hold a Special OIC Summit in Islamabad like 1974, with the aim to Create a “ Grand

Muslim Military Alliance(GMMA)”;  with its Headquarters and Joint Training Centers located in Pakistan including representatives from all Muslim countries;and designated collective response military forces based in respective countries.That broad idea when agreed can then be operationalised with all required nitty-gritty details by the smart military planners. Wisdom comes through sufferings; hasn't the Muslim World already suffered enough?