That Business Recorder op-ed writer, Farhat Ali, analyses the regional geopolitical-geo-economic situations in a highly impressive manner is a fact. In his latest op-ed titled “Oman: rising on the horizon” carried by the newspaper on Saturday, the writer has come up with a highly informed conclusion.
According to him, for example, Muscat must resist pressures to be seen as aligned with any competing power bloc. “Its long-term influence, according to the writer, “will depend on maintaining strategic autonomy, preserving channels of dialogue with all sides, and ensuring that its diplomatic relationships do not compromise its role as a regional bridge-builder”.
In my view, since 1970, when Sultan Qaboos—the predecessor of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said—took power, Oman has undergone a political, social, and economic transformation. This has turned it into a modern, oil-producing state that has gained both regional influence and international respect. Furthermore, its approach to the current Middle East conflict speaks volumes about the far-sightedness and timely prudence of Oman’s current sultan.
Mubashir Malik, Rawalpindi
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026