Pakistani leadership’s fruitful visit to Saudi Arabia has expanded bilateral ties

Pakistan-Saudi relations are characterized by mutual empathy, identical views on regional issues and determination to promote peace and security at regional and global levels. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by a high level delegation, has wrapped up a four-day official visit to the Kingdom. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief General Asim Muneer, key ministers and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He has visited the Kingdom several times after the assumption of the prime ministerial office a year ago. Besides the omni-present spiritual bond, this relationship is now expanding into commercial and investment fields.

The most important item during the visit was the Prime Minister’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. Pakistan Army Chief and Chief Minister of the Punjab were present during the call. Ways and means to strengthen bilateral ties through regular consultations, defense and economic co-operation were discussed. In the evolving dynamics of the Middle East, the Saudi role will be pivotal. 

The Kingdom has been an unequivocal supporter of Syrian territorial integrity and Palestinian rights. Pakistan too has held an identical position on these issues. Both countries staunchly believe that there can be no normalization with Israel without Palestinian rights. They have conveyed the same message to the international community through multilateral forums like the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) and the United Nations.

Both countries believe that peace is essential for progress and prosperity, and that a lasting peace can only be achieved through settlements based on justice. 

- Javed Hafeez

No high level Pak-Saudi dialogue is complete without a discussion of the regional security situation and ways and means to enhance bilateral defense co-operation. Eternal vigilance is necessary to ensure peace and both countries are cognizant of that fact. That is why they regularly participate in bilateral and multilateral military exercises. In recent months in fact, two international level military exercises were held in the Kingdom and Pakistan. 

Both leaderships feel that strong political and defense ties have to be matched with equally robust economic engagement. During the visit, the Pakistani Prime Minister met with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih and Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, Head of Joint Task Force for Economic Engagement. PM Sharif highlighted energy, infrastructure, agriculture and Information technology as attractive avenues for Saudi investments. 

Last year, Saudi Arabia had shown a keen interest in the mining sector, which includes vast deposits of copper and gold in Balochistan. Virgin lands in South Punjab are being developed to attract investment in corporate farming and livestock. The Punjab Chief Minister’s inclusion in the delegation shows that these vital fields of investment were on the agenda.

Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was set up in 2023 to facilitate foreign investment in Pakistan through a one-window operation, thus minimizing red tape and lengthy procedures. The Council has been a mixed success. The causes are security challenges in Balochistan and a water shortage in South Punjab. Steps are being taken to tackle both these issues. Meanwhile, other fields of profitable investments like setting up a quality hospitality industry in the picturesque northern areas could be explored for mutual benefit. Joint defense production is another promising area where Pakistan has the requisite expertise.

Apart from its pivotal spiritual value for Muslims, Saudi Arabia provides employment to more than two million Pakistani workers and is the foremost source of foreign exchange remittances to Pakistan. Apart from this, the Kingdom has also been providing balance of payment support to Pakistan, as and when required. Visits to the two holy mosques are always part of Pakistani leaders’ trips to the Kingdom. However, praying at these holy places assumes special importance during the month of Ramadan. The Prime Minister and his delegation did avail that coveted opportunity before returning home.

After his meeting with the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister paid tributes to the Kingdom’s efforts for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. Both countries believe that peace is essential for progress and prosperity, and that a lasting peace can only be achieved through settlements based on justice.

- Javed Hafeez is a former Pakistani diplomat with much experience of the Middle East. He writes weekly columns in Pakistani and Gulf newspapers and appears regularly on satellite TV channels as a defense and political analyst. X: @JavedHafiz8