Unity in Question

The D-8 summit seeks economic cooperation among eight Islamic nations, but its effectiveness for Pakistan remains doubtful.

Shabbir Hussain Imam

In the bustling, timeless streets of Cairo, where history whispers from every stone and the shadow of the pyramids stretches far into the horizon, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has arrived, joining Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who arrived earlier this week. Together, they are part of a crucial delegation attending the D-8 summit, a gathering of leaders from eight developing Islamic nations, held from December 18 to 20. Cairo, the heart of Egypt, cradles the weight of this momentous summit, where decisions are made that will ripple through nations and across continents.

D-8 now includes Azerbaijan, targets $500 billion trade by 2030.

The D-8 Organization, now with Azerbaijan as its 9th member, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, representing 1.27 billion people. Trade among these nations has grown from $65 billion in 2016 to $133 billion in 2020, with a combined GDP of $5.1 trillion in 2024. The group aims to reach $500 billion in trade by 2030, focusing on cooperation in agriculture, energy, and transportation.

“Unity is strength.” – Anonymous

The D-8, a coalition formed nearly three decades ago, unites Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Iran, and Egypt, under the banner of shared challenges and aspirations. The alliance, born in the visionary corridors of Turkey, remains headquartered in Istanbul, its spirit driven by the ambition to forge economic cooperation among nations that share more than just religious ties but common struggles in a rapidly evolving world. As of now, Nigeria holds the role of Secretary-General, with Abdul Qadir Imam at the helm, steering the group forward amidst turbulent global waters.

Yet, despite its decades of existence, the D-8 faces a monumental question: how effective is this union in the face of global power imbalances? How powerful is an alliance when its actions seem to reverberate weakly against the thunderous roar of Israel’s military might and the indifference of its powerful allies? The group’s last meeting, which called for a full UN membership for Palestine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ended in disappointment—its demands went unmet, and the bloodshed continues. The ability of this bloc to effect change, to shift the global tide, seems in constant doubt.

One cannot help but wonder: what is the true power of these alliances, such as the D-8, the OIC, and others, if they are unable to curb the ruthless actions of a state like Israel, backed by its formidable supporters? Despite representing over 1.3 billion Muslims across the world, these alliances struggle to translate their collective voice into substantial action. The D-8, despite its noble intentions, seems like a ship adrift in a stormy sea, its sails full but its course uncertain.

Gaza devastated: 45,000 Palestinians killed, neighborhoods destroyed, millions flee Egypt; Syria fractured.

And then there is Gaza. The situation is dire, with over 45,000 Palestinians lost to the violence, entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, and millions fleeing into neighboring Egypt. Meanwhile, Israel extends its military campaign across Syria, consolidating its hold on contested territories. The violence is unrelenting, devastating not just lives but the stability of the entire region. In this whirlwind of conflict, Syria, once a pillar of regional power, is now a fractured shadow of itself, its future uncertain.

Will this meeting be just a diplomatic formality, a symbolic assembly of leaders that generates news but results in no enduring effect, or will it initiate significant discussions that lead to tangible solutions? Pakistan, facing a struggling economy and the pressing demands of its young population, finds itself at an essential juncture. The risks are significant.

The D-8 summit officially focuses on investing in youth and fostering the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). But in a country like Pakistan, where industries teeter on the brink and economic opportunities for the younger generation are scarce, the question arises: Can such lofty goals be realized? Can Pakistan truly leverage this summit to pull itself from the edge of economic turmoil? What has Prime Minister Sharif’s government done to address these very issues in the past two years? These are the questions that loom large, casting doubt on the summit’s potential to deliver real progress.

Pakistan, the only nuclear Islamic D-8 member, holds unique capabilities. However, its influence and the bloc's economic benefits for youth remain questionable.

Moreover, Pakistan’s status as the only nuclear-armed Islamic state within the D-8 adds another layer of complexity. While Iran seeks this status, Pakistan remains unique in its nuclear capabilities. But does this distinction translate into any meaningful influence within the bloc? While the D-8 reviews its history and looks ahead, the question of if the organization has genuinely enhanced the economic opportunities for its youth and member countries remains unresolved. After twenty-five years, the difference between aspiration and reality appears to remain significant.

It's important to highlight that, under the previous administration, countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia tried to establish their own coalition, distinct from the OIC. Still, this effort failed, collapsing under the burden of geopolitical intricacies. Indonesia, another D-8 member, views this summit as an opportunity to boost its own economic standing, yet Prime Minister Sharif has remained notably reticent about his expectations and the summit’s potential outcomes. He has avoided giving any detailed interviews to Pakistani media, leaving the public in the dark about what concrete benefits Pakistan might reap.

This silence from the Prime Minister speaks volumes. It’s a missed opportunity to engage with the nation, to articulate the potential gains from the summit and the steps that will follow. While political leaders in Pakistan often communicate through the media, this time Sharif has refrained from offering any insights, even as his brother, Nawaz Sharif, is more than willing to speak to both local and international press. This silence raises questions, leaving the public to wonder whether the summit will truly deliver anything of substance for Pakistan.

So, as the leaders of the D-8 converge in Cairo, the question remains: what will come of this summit? Will it be a milestone for Pakistan and its people, or yet another diplomatic gathering that fades into obscurity with no lasting impact? As the world watches, all we can do is hope that the summit leads to real cooperation, and that the leaders—particularly Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi—can unite in the pursuit of peace, seeking an end to the endless suffering in Gaza and Syria. The people who bear the brunt of this violence, those whose lives have been torn apart, deserve no less.

Ends.