Arab Islamic Emergency Summit

Pakistan as NATO of the Islamic World? A Mirage, Not a Mission

Every now and then, the idea resurfaces: Can Pakistan be the “NATO” for Islamic countries? The proposition sounds dramatic, but the reality is far less flattering.

What Does Pakistan Bring to the Table?

Truth be told, not much. Pakistan’s military strength is not built on indigenous capability. Its arsenal is largely imported from China, while most Arab states rely on US and European suppliers. This mismatch kills any hope of a unified command. At best, Islamabad can offer boots on the ground – cheap troop supply. But modern conflicts aren’t won by headcount; they are won by technology, logistics, and strategy – areas where Pakistan falls short.

The Israel Factor: More Talk, Less Action

The recent summit that condemned Israel was more noise than substance. It wasn’t a war council; it was a political statement. No one around that table had the appetite for actual military confrontation with a US-backed Israel.

Turkey, Syria, and the Rest

Turkey is in no mood to play second fiddle. With its booming defence industry, Ankara is positioning itself as the Muslim world’s arms exporter, not a client of Pakistan.

Syria, shattered by war, can’t contribute meaningfully. Libya, Jordan, and even Egypt to some extent, are struggling with their own instability. The so-called Islamic bloc is fractured and fragile.

The American Red Line

The biggest obstacle is Washington. The United States has made it abundantly clear: it will not allow an Islamic NATO, let alone one anchored in a nuclear-armed Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan itself is under the American scanner – a country too unstable, too dependent, and too dangerous to be trusted with dreams of leading a military alliance.

The Self-Appointed Guardian

For decades, Pakistan has tried to sell itself as the “guardian of the Muslim ummah.” But the claim doesn’t stick. Others don’t buy it. Military-level cooperation against Israel – a state shielded by American power – is simply not viable.

Final Word

An Islamic NATO with Pakistan as its guard is nothing but a mirage. The summit was theatre, not strategy. And Pakistan’s self-proclaimed saviour role is just that – self-proclaimed. The Islamic world is too divided, too dependent, and too cautious to rally behind Pakistan’s banner.