Thank you King
(Mian Zeeshan Ahmed, karachi)
Nothing could be more relieving
for Pakistan than to hear a supporting voice from anywhere in the world. Saudi
King Abdullah Bin Aziz has stated, in categorical terms, that no tragic event
could change his Kingdom’s support to the people of brotherly Muslim state
implicitly referring to the killing of a Saudi diplomat in Karachi during a
terrorist attack on his car. Not only this assurance, the King further said that
Saudi Arabia would extend full cooperation to Pakistan in every sphere of life
and that Islamabad should never feel isolated. He made these remarks during a
meeting with leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Maulana Fazlur Rehman, when he
called on him at the royal palace in Riyadh. Since its inception, Pakistan has
always enjoyed unflinching support from successive royal rulers and Saudi Arabia
came to Pakistan’s rescue on every difficult period of turmoil. But this has
never been a one-sided affair. Pakistan and its people had always stood on the
side of Saudi Arabia in handling issues confronting the Muslim Ummah.
Pakistan is heavily dependent on Saudi Arabia being a strong ally of the United
States. Riyadh has continued to supply oil to Pakistan at cheaper prices even at
a time when in the international market it touched highest mark. On the other
hand, Saudi Arabia has all along been a close partner in dealing with natural
calamities like devastating floods and earthquakes.
Saudi Arabia is widely respected in Pakistan for being the hub of the Islamic
faith and also as a leader of the Muslim world. +Late King Faisal had been a
house hold name for having great affection for the people of Pakistan and for
supporting and financing mega projects. Saudi rulers have always been taking
great interest in Pakistan’s well-being as elder brother. In Pakistani politics
as well, the Saudi influence is remarkable. Former prime minister Mian Nawaz
Sharif was rescued by the Saudis when former military dictator Gen Musharraf was
bent upon taking his life. He was shifted to Jeddah on personal intervention of
King Abdullah.