In modern times of human
civilization, strong and trustworthy bilateral relations always brighten the
chances of trade and commerce, foreign direct investments and strengthen
cultural tries. This helps create an atmosphere of collaboration and harmony.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are more than strategic partners and more than
brothers as said by King Abdul Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The sad demise of
King Abdullah may have brought a glorious association to a natural setback, but
the fact that the relations between both countries will continue to remain
strong in the future era of the new King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
Since King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in
1932, its transformation has been tremendous. The successive wise leadership has
turned itself from a desert nation to a modern, dynamic state and one of the
major players on the international stage. Its socio-economic revolution is
unprecedented. Saudi Arabia was one of those first countries which recognised
Pakistan after independence 1947. Whether it was wars of 1965, 1971 or sanctions
after nuclear tests, Saudi Arabia came forward and helped Pakistan.
After the establishment of diplomatic ties, both the countries have enjoyed good
relations which are not confined to political, economic, commercial, security
and religious matters. Common faith and culture has further enhanced by close
geographical proximity, historic trade ties, religious association and the
economic facilitation. Both countries have developed trust-worthy relations
based on mutual respect. More than 1.5 million Pakistanis are working in Saudi
Arabia. In recent years, both countries have exchanged high-level delegations
and developed plans to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, education, real
estate, tourism, information technology, communications and agriculture.
Diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been strong, stable and
sustainable since 1947. Saudi Arabia has been generous to Pakistan in many
fields since then. Both countries are leading members of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC). Saudi Arabia supported Pakistan on the issue of
Kashmir and encouraged both the countries to start Confidence Building Measures
(CBMs). It openly opposed partition of Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh. Both
the countries were at same wave-length at the time of Afghan War and remained
closed allies fighting against communism during 1980s. During the 1990-1991
Persian Gulf War, Pakistan on request, sent troops to protect the Islamic holy
sites in Saudi Arabia. Both the countries played important role in recognition
of Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Pakistan offered its political, moral and
diplomatic support on many regional Islamic and international issues.
Saudi Arabia came to our rescue even in May 1998 (series of nuclear
explosions/tests) and promised to supply 50,000 barrels per day of free oil to
help Pakistan cope with likely economic sanctions in the aftermath. Also,
humanitarian assistance has been one of the key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s
foreign policy. Saudi Arabia extended its humanitarian assistance on many times
of natural calamities in the country. In the times of natural crisis, Saudi
Arabia stood first and donated generously
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan is passionately facilitating many
ongoing mega projects of education, health, housing, infrastructure, clean
drinking water and electrification in different parts of the country. It has
been helping Pakistan in obtaining fertilizers that may aid the agricultural
activities in the country. Further, assistance would allow developmental
projects to be initiated that would be instrumental in the socio-economic
upgradation of the people. It aims to reduce high ratios of poverty. It would
generate more employment in these troubled areas. It would support business
activities in these areas and improve their living standards by providing better
education, health and housing facilities.
Further, millions of dollars worth of loan has been provided to be spent for
reconstruction in the Malakand Division, Bajaur Agency and North and South
Waziristan. In this connection, the reconstruction activity, including repair of
roads, would contribute to increasing agricultural productivity and enhance
educational and health standards for the people of the region. Rehabilitation
work includes construction of 283 KMS of major roads and 887 KMS of other roads
along with 43 bridges and 78 culverts.
The last but not the least, the loan will also be used for construction of main
and branch canals with flood protection work, water storage, supply of lift
pumps, construction of educational facilities in South Waziristan, North
Waziristan and Bajaur and rehabilitation of power network and transmission
lines.
Right from the beginning, Saudi Arabia has been providing generous religious and
educational aid to Pakistan, being a major contributor to the construction of
mosques and religious schools across Pakistan. The Faisal Mosque (dedicated to
King Faisal of Saudi Arabia) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan was the prime
example of Pak-Saudi cultural affinity. The major Pakistani city of former
Lyallpur was also renamed Faisalabad in honour of King Faisal in 1977. Saudi
Arabia remains a major destination for immigration amongst Pakistanis, the
number of whom living in Saudi Arabia reached to 1.5 million.
Also, both the countries maintain close military ties. The government of
Pakistan provided extensive support, arms and training to the military of Saudi
Arabia. Pilots of the Pakistan Air Force flew aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air
Force to deter a raid from South Yemen in 1969. In the 1970s and 1980s,
approximately 15,000 Pakistani soldiers were stood tall in Saudi Arabia. Saudi
Arabia showed great interests to purchase of Pakistani ballistic missiles
capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have information
mechanism on different subject relating to defense production, security
apparatus and above all martial training etc.
During the talks between PM Nawaz Sharif and King Salman, situation in the
Middle East and issues facing the Muslim world came under discussion. The
Pakistani PM elaborated upon the measures being taken to tackle terrorism and
militancy in Pakistan. Further, it was agreed that both nations have had cordial
relations and that there was further need to strengthen the association
byfocussing on the trade and economic ties. Also, that it was required to
converge on matters of regional and international significance.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close relations which are marked by common
perceptions on all issues of mutual interests. Both countries have sought to
develop extensive commercial, cultural, religious and strategic relations. The
rapidly changing geo-political and geo-strategic scenarios in the region and the
Middle East demands greater levels of mutual cooperation and collaboration at
all levels. The way forward between both the countries is to have joint security
plan, cooperation in the energy sector, shared and comprehensive strategy
against terrorism and extremism and most importantly, working towards creating
an environment of peace in the region.