The whole existence of Pakistan has been about jumping from one ship to another. For a major part of their existence, they entrapped the United States in an illusion of pro-America outcomes. Now, they want to take advantage from both sides of the cold war era. But, Putin will only unleash wrath on them.

Pakistan’s floods and outpouring of support

Pakistan’s flood has made global headlines. According to a report by Wall Street Journal, 3.6 million acres of cultivated land have been affected. More importantly, the agricultural part of the food security domain is most affected. Wheat stored in the fields and godowns has been washed away, leaving millions of Pakistanis exposed to hunger and malnutrition. Naturally, the country should be welcoming towards anyone giving them a chance to ensure food security.

Pakistan said Tuesday that it was in talks with Russia over importing wheat, as it struggles to make up for crops and food stocks washed away by massive floods, which have killed more than 1,100 people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed for the world to provide more help for Pakistan, saying there was a “yawning gap” between aid promised so far and the scale of the disaster.

More than 30 million people have been affected, or about 15% of the population, and the country estimates it needs $1 billion in aid for immediate relief efforts alone. Pakistan urgently needs food, medicines, drinking water, tents, and mosquito nets, he said.

Mr. Sharif said that he believed the country could buy Russian wheat without breaching sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West over its invasion of Ukraine this year. “We have an offer from them, and we are negotiating,” Mr. Sharif told a news briefing. “We have to fill the stomachs of our people.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sympathy for Pakistan’s losses.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured, and all those affected by this natural calamity and hope for an early restoration of normalcy,” Mr. Modi tweeted late Monday.

He didn’t say whether India was considering sending aid. An offer or dispatch of aid would be a first for the government of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Ties between the two rivals have turned chillier since the BJP came to power in 2014. Mr. Modi’s office and the Indian Foreign Ministry didn’t reply to requests for comment.

Vladimir Putin is also one of the world leaders who offered wheat to Pakistan. But Putin offered to sell his wheat to the terrorist nation, contrary to what Pakistan is habituated to, which is getting resources by begging. Looking at it from the other side of the spectrum, selling wheat was imminent for Putin to ensure healthy coffers of the Russian treasury.

That is why Russian officials were ready to sell wheat at discounted prices to Pakistan.

Koo App #Pakistan is seriously considering to import #Russian #wheat as floods wreak havoc in the country and cause severe food shortages View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 3 Sep 2022

Pakistan backstabbing Russia

Similar offers were made earlier as well. They kept asking for lower prices but the Russians were not ready to compromise. As soon as the flooding started, affecting 30 million people in the territory, Pakistan started to keep a watch on Russian offers. Wall Street Journal even reported Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif stating that he can somehow buy Russian wheat without breaching sanctions.

But, what happened next will shock you. On one hand, Pakistan was putting the onus on Russia for saving its population from hunger, while on the other it was busy helping the Ukrainian army by killing Russian citizens posted in Ukraine as soldiers. In a sensational expose, Ukrainian soldiers were found using 122 mm HE artillery projectiles. These projectiles are made in the Pakistan Ordnance Factory.

Russia canceled the plan altogether

As soon as the Russians got this news, tables started to turn regarding the negotiation of the price of wheat. According to a report by Pakistan Today, one of the few Pakistani English-language daily newspapers, Russians had asked for $410 per MMT from Pakistan. Later they offered further discounts of $405 and $400 per MMT to Pakistan.

But, in spite of having Russian blood on their hands, they were asking Russians to sell wheat at $390 per MMT. Meanwhile, the news of Pakistani weapons in Ukraine came forward and a few hours later the Putin administration simply canceled the deal. However, clever ‘Pakistan Today’ still published the news with a deceptive headline indicating that it was Pakistan that canceled the deal. The headline was, “Govt decides against importing wheat from Russia”. But, the reality was hidden a few graphs down the line.

Putin never forgets and never forgives

It is amply clear that Pakistan is using victim status as a victim card. Even during this moment of crisis, Pakistani authorities are trying to play diplomatic chess with countries all around the world. They are taking assistance from everyone including the United States, UAE, Turkey, and the US. However, all these geographical blocks are certain that Pakistan won’t harm its interests.

Earlier even Putin was sure about Pakistan. But, one piece of evidence is enough to counter the plethora of narratives. Russians getting information of Pakistan made arms landing in Ukraine is one such. With his decades of experience, first as a ‘spy’ and then as a ‘statesman’, Putin won’t allow Pakistan to go unpunished.

References:

tfipost.com