ISTORICAL relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted in shared religious values, bilateral economic interest, cultural resemblance and religious tourism. Their decades-old friendship speaks volume about the respect and commitment both countries behold to each other. History has witnessed many events when both the friendly countries have stood with each other shoulder to shoulder in difficult times. Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich country, has always extended a helping hand to Pakistan whenever it has confronted crisis or faced natural disasters. Furthermore, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also taken collective measures to restore peace in the region.
The recent Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between the two countries has been a watershed moment.
Historical ties Since inception of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia has been one of the first friendly Muslim countries to Pakistan, and is counted among the first countries that recognised Pakistan shortly after it came into existence. Since 1947, relationship between both countries witnessed no strains.
Moreover, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have taken collective measure on multiple global forums, be it Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) or counter-terrorism efforts, especially during post 9/11 era, culminating in establishment of Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). Similarly, many a Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia have visited Pakistan that stands as a token of their love and attach-ment towards Pakistan. Even recently, in 2019, current Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman payed his visit to Pakistan during which he himself highlighted the deep-rooted bond between the two countries.
Defence cooperation Saudi Arabia and Pakistan collectively stand as strong voice for the global peace.
The recent Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is a landmark achievement in the Eastern history, aimed at sustaining regional security and stability. This strategic military pact signed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and endorsed by peoples of both countries assures that any escalation against either country will be taken as threat to the sovereignty of both nations.
This phenomenal bond is more than a combined military establishment in the wake of current security concerns; it is, however, an exhibition of strong relationship, mutual interests and the trust of both nations on each other. Further, if this bond of two Muslim states expands, it may convert into a Muslim allies which can help control a regional imbalance.
At a time when almost the entire world was criticising Islamabad for its nuclear experiments in response to the Indian tests, Saudi Arabia was among the few that congratulated Pakistan. Saudi Arabia had also started providing50,000barrels a day of free crude oilworth $2 billion to Pakistan on deferred payments in 1998 and 1999 at the request of the then prime minister fol-lowing sanctions imposed against Pakistan by the world community. A major portion of this amount was later converted into a grant and the facility was extended in the subsequent years.
In 2015, the Saudi Arabia resorted to air strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels and asked Pakistan to join what it called war against terrorism. Pakistan, already fighting against terrorists on its own soil for more than a decade, declined politely.
Islamabad reiterated its resolve to protect the Holy sites as well as the Saudi soil.
During this period, the Saudis asked Pakistan to join multiple blocs: first against the Syrian regime, then against Houthi rebels in Yemen, and then a broader ‘Islamic’ anti-terror coalition.
The Saudi authorities unilaterally announced that Pakistan was a part of the coalition. Pakistan agreed to join the coalition but made it clear that its troops were there only to protect the Kingdom.
It is worth mentioning here that after his retirement, Pakistan’s former chief of army staff retired Gen Raheel Sharif was appointed as head of the coalition force and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) head Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor had declared his appointment a state-level decision.
At the start of 2018, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa made a trip to the Kingdom. It was followed by the army’s announcement that it was deploying troops in Saudi Arabia under an existing bilateral security pact.
The size of the deployment was later statedtobe around1,000troops,and asthe opposition raised questions over the decision, the then foreign minister KhawajaAsif revealed that Pakistani troops had been stationed in the Kingdom only for ‘internal security’ reasons, and not to take part in the Yemen war.
Economic ties Saudi Arabia is one of the strategic economic partners of Pakistan owing to trade as it has a large volume of crude oil. This, in essence, provides support and stability to Pakistan’s growing economy, and helps meet a demand of domestic energy in Pakistan.
The current year witnessed a remarkable support from Saudi government as federal government signed an agreement with the Saudi Fund for development (SDF) to defer a $1.2 billion payment on oil imports.
This deal seems to ease the financial burden Pakistan is grappling with, as Prime Minister Office (PMO) also recognised this favour, and which stated that the agreement would strengthen Pakistan’s economic resilience by securing a stable supply of petroleum products while reducing immediate fiscal burdens.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia aid and financial support to Pakistan in emergency situations and natural disasters can never be downplayed, proving the country’s commitment of brotherhood to Pakistan.
For instance, in 2018, when Pakistan was facing severe economic crisis, Saudi Arabia pledged a six-billion-dollar support package. Subsequently, three-billion-dollar cash was deposited in Pakistan’s central bank and oil worth dollar three billion was supplied on deferred payment strategy.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia has been a consistent first responder in Pakistan’s naturaldisasters, providing not only financial aid but also logistics, field hospitals, food, shelters, and reconstruction support.
From the 2005 earthquake to the 2022 super floods, Saudi Arabia has always supported the flood victims.
Saudi Arabia hosts a large Pakistani diaspora Saudi Arabia hosts a large Pakistani diaspora, including engineers, doctors and other skilled labours, contributing in country’s social services and gross domestic product (GDP), and sending a large remittance to Pakistan. Living in distressed condition during serge of skyrocketing inflation, people are finding ways out for stabilising their economic means.
In this regard, they find Saudi Arabia a suitable country due to its easy and comparatively cheap access to them. The number of Pakistani immigrants in Saudi Arabia is continuously increasing and the country is offering various jobs to Pakistani talented youth.
Although Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners in many different ways, but the recent development is foreshadowing for other more eye-catching incidents where both countries would solve their issues collectively.
We hope that united, strategic moves would result into more successful endeavours, and their combined efforts would come up not only regional stability, but also support world to become a more liveable and peacefulplace.m This is edited version of an article earlier published in Dawn.