This is apropos a Business Recorder editorial "Qatar: the loss of Karama" carried by the newspaper recently. There is no doubt about the fact that the boycott-imposing states have effectively deprived their Arab neighbour of 'karama' or dignity. No doubt, in the Arab imagination, the loss of karama or dignity is far greater and a more profound misfortune than whatever economic losses.

The question, however, is whether Qatar deserved such treatment? The other question is: Haven't these countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Egypt, gone too far?

These boycott-imposing countries seem to have decided to step up pressure on Qatar which has refused to meet their 13 demands.

It has been reported that the bloc is considering fresh sanctions against Qatar that may include asking trading partners to choose between them and Doha! How will, for example, Pakistan respond to the situation?

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017