Last week, Pakistan's Federal Minister of Defense Syed Naveed Qamar met with top leaders in Serbia's House of Guards to lay the frame work for an MOU between the armed forces of the two countries. The proposed military agreement with Serbia is to provide Pakistan's armed forced with ammunition, armoured vehicles and assault rifles amongst other weapons. Notwithstanding the cementing of defense ties, Qamar also proposed the idea of Serbia to establish an embassy in Islamabad and engage with Pakistan through a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The announcement is yet another example of how Pakistan's ruling establishment is determined to embrace enemies of Islam, as it once again the muddles through another foreign policy blunder.

It is no secret that Pakistan's embracement of America's war on terror-in truth a vicious crusade against Islam- has prompted the Pakistani ruling elite to make several overtures of friendship towards the enemies of Islam, and when appropriate grant concessions to them that greatly undermines the country's integrity and stability. Some of the highlights of this appauling foreign policy are: an American installed government in Afghanistan that is ferociously hostile to Pakistan, capitulation over Kashmir to please India, gestures to recognize Israel, silence over Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya Muslims, preferred ignorance over the plight of Muslims in the Caucasus in return for closer ties with Russia, and now embracement of Serbia-the butcher of Bosnia and the author of Kosovo's the killing fields of: What is next we ask?

By surrounding themselves with such a distinguished company of war-mongers and bigots, it is not surprising that Muslims residing in the affected areas show any affinity at all towards Pakistan's leaders. Palestinians, Kashmiris, Chechnyans, Rohingyas, Bosnians and Kosovans have every right to be upset with Pakistan's establishment. In some ways, the oppression of these Muslims is a result of Pakistan's foreign policy relations with America, which has accentuated their predicament after September 2oo1.

The same can be said for the repression of Muslims inside Pakistan. Pakistan's continuous subservience to Washington has enabled America to dominate Pakistan's domestic scene, and foreign relations. America's reluctance to withhold certain arms and technology from the Pakistani army, while simultaneously demanding actions against militants in North Waziristan has spurred Pakistan's elite to explore relations with Serbia. Belgrade was virtually shunned by Islamabad, until 2009 Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani stated that Pakistan considered Serbia a very important country and described relations between the two countries as warm and friendly.

The gesture coincided with America's public chastisement of Pakistan's leadership to fully commit to military operation against the militants in the tribal areas.

Thereafter, Pakistan worked with Serbia to form cordial relations, despite the horrific crimes perpetrated against Bosnian and Kosovo Muslims. In the mid-nineties the Pakistan army was deployed in Bosnia to protect its populace from the marauding Serbian hordes. And now seventeen years later, the Pakistani army wants to befriend a country that still harbours ill will against Muslims. Serbia's vehement opposition to Kosovo's independence epitomizes this deep seated hatred. The arrest and trial of war criminals Karadzic, Mladic, and Hadzic should serve as a painful reminder of Serbia's past atrocities.

It is all too obvious that Pakistan's leadership is not motivated by bonds of brotherhood founded on Islam to protect the Muslims of Bosnia, Kosovo and elsewhere. However, the leadership prides in the vision of Mohammed Ali Jinnah who is supposedly held in high regard by them. Jinnah said, "We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world..." So why is the material support not being extended to Palestinians, Kashmiris, Rohingyas and other Muslims who are being persecuted for their faith. Clearly then, Pakistan's elite is not motivated by Islam or "nationalism" then on what bases do they engage in foreign policy matters?

The answer is that both the civil and military leadership is bereft of any rational ideas that underpin Pakistan's foreign policy. The Pakistani elite follow a simple rule. Blindly submit to American stipulations or run around like headless chickens when America is displeased with them. This master and slave relationship has only one outcome and that is political suicide.

What Pakistan requires is a sound independent foreign policy that matches the aspiration of its people and is rooted in Islam. This can only be achieved through the re-establishment of the Caliphate, which will not only provide political independence, but also ensure that Pakistan integrity is fully protected.

Abu Hashim