ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed a relationship based on mutual respect, trust and, most importantly, the Islamic brotherhood.
People in Pakistan have great respect for the Saudi people and in a reciprocal gesture, the Kingdom has always come forward to rescue the nation against all odds.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia established relations in 1947. However, both the countries established diplomatic relations in 1953 when third governor general of Pakistan, Ghulam Muhammad visited the Kingdom. Pak-Saudi relations have been historically close and friendly, frequently dubbed by the analysts as special. Pakistan is considered Saudi Arabia’s closest Muslim and non-Arab ally which has rightly assumed the role of a guardian of Saudi Arabia against any internal or external threat.
Pakistanis hold the most favourable perception of Saudi Arabians worldwide. The Saudi rulers have helped Pakistan at every time in need.
In 1943, even before Pakistan’s existence, King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud dispatched aid for the drought-hit people of Bengal on the appeal of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In 1953, both countries signed a friendship treaty. Saudi Arabia was among the first few countries which recognized Pakistan upon its inception.
Saudi Arabia fully supported Pakistan in the 1965 war, and later in 1969, both countries signed a defence pact. The Kingdom also backed the Pakistani position on the fall of Dhaka as it showed hesitation in recognizing the new-born country in 1971.
The era of former Pakistan prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shah Faisal bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia was of significant importance in terms of bilateral relations when, in 1970, Pakistan hosted the first Islamic summit moot in Lahore. In the following years, a large number of Pakistanis were given access to Saudi Arabia for work purposes.
Both the countries were also on the same page on the issue of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In 1982, the two brotherly countries entered into another defence pact which paved the way for the training of Saudi defence personnel and defence production.
In 1989, when Iraq attacked Kuwait, Pakistan sent its forces to Saudi Arabia in view of the looming threat on its borders. In the later years, Saudi Arabia helped Pakistan through the sanctions that came to affect Pakistan in the wake of the nuclear blasts. The Kingdom again rescued Pakistan in the face of a worsening economic situation, lent $3 bn, and provided oil on deferred payments.
In 2019, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Pakistan and announced $20 bn investment.
Pakistan was the first stop of the Crown Prince’s journey to Pakistan and China. The most important part of the visit was to sign an agreement to establish a $10 billion refinery and petrochemicals complex in Gwadar.
Saudi Arabia also deposited $3 bn in the State Bank of Pakistan account to shore up the country’s reserves, after which the IMF also extended a $2 bn loan. King Salman also announced $1 bn investment in Pakistan to help move the economy.
At present, around one million Pakistanis are working in the Kingdom and contributing to the country’s economy.
Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman Vision 2030
Under the vision, Pakistan has been offered great opportunities in trade and investment, besides job opportunities for Pakistanis in the ongoing development projects in the Kingdom. Few days back, Pakistan prime minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar said that Saudi Arabia and the UAE would invest $25 bn each in Pakistan as the country reels from the bad economy and high inflation.
Saudi Arabia has a special respect for PML-N Supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif for his role in making Pakistan a nuclear power. According to senior diplomat Abdul Basit, both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial relations. He said Saudi’s announcement of investing millions in Pakistan during a caretaker regime is a reflection of the fact that change of government matters a little when it comes to the bilateral relations.
