Ahmed Nazeer
The visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal ibn Farhan and his delegation to Pakistan, a significant event in the diplomatic calendar, has drawn considerable attention. This visit was perceived as a crucial step towards fortifying the enduring relationship between the two nations. During his stay, the Foreign Minister held meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Chief of Army Staff, ensuring comprehensive engagement with the Pakistani leadership.
While the visit did not yield any major announcements, it is widely speculated that its main purpose was to lay the groundwork for an upcoming visit by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad Bin Salman. The Crown Prince had expressed his intention to visit Pakistan during the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia a week earlier, setting the stage for potential significant developments in the bilateral relationship.
The meeting between Prince Farhan and COAS Gen Asim Munir underscored the robust security relationship between the two nations. Pakistani forces are stationed in Saudi Arabia, thereby enabling Saudi forces to focus on other strategic tasks. The visit also underscored the commitment to bolster investment and economic ties. Saudi Arabia has pledged a substantial investment of $5 billion in Pakistan, with a specific focus on enhancing trade and commerce. This commitment is in addition to the traditional aid of making deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan, further solidifying the economic partnership.
Further, Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest $21 billion in an oil refinery in Gwadar, $7 billion in copper mines, and $1 billion in the Reko Diq gold mining project. Pakistan’s economic ties with Saudi Arabia have traditionally been based on the large labour force of Pakistanis, who are an important source of energy for the Saudi economy and foreign exchange remittances to Pakistan.
Beyond the economic and security ties, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are bound by a deep-rooted connection through religion. Pakistan, with its two of the holiest sites in Islam, holds a significant place for Muslim pilgrims. The shared concern about the third site, Masjid Al-Aqsa, which both countries have condemned in the wake of the Gaza situation, further strengthens this bond. The devotion of their populations to the Palestinian cause has led to varying degrees of popular unrest in both countries, underscoring the shared values and concerns that unite them.
The recent series of visits between the two nations have played a pivotal role in fortifying their economic and security ties, while also addressing shared concerns on the international stage. Despite the Occasional challenges, the enduring bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are resilient. The recent visits have served as a reaffirmation of their commitment to maintaining a steady and prosperous relationship, instilling confidence in the audience about the future of these relations.
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