Dr Muhammad Khan
PAKISTAN-Saudi relationship is based on solid foundation of spiritualism and Islamic philosophy with a people centric approach hence; steadfast, resolute and deep-rooted. The state to state relationship developed from the solid basis of divine connections and people centric bondage. This is unique in the world with no parallel elsewhere. Unfortunately, a recent statement of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has been misinterpreted by media to create a crevice in this never-ending and unwavering historical relationship. The statement has emphasized the need for calling the meeting of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the issues like; Jammu and Kashmir, Palestine and construction of a Ram Temple after demolition of Babri mosque in India.
Mr Qureshi said that, “I am telling the OIC to convene the meeting of the council of foreign ministers. If they cannot do it, then i will be compelled to ask the prime minister to call a meeting of Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir.” Foreign Minister Qureshi also highlighted the spiritual relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia by saying, “Pakistanis are always ready to sacrifice their lives for Mecca and Madina (indeed, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). In fact, Saudi kingdom has always supported Pakistani stance on Kashmir. The statement never meant creating a dip in decades old relationship between Kingdom and Pakistan and also with OIC. The media and elements having vested interests tried to interpret the statement in their own ways indeed to the disfavour of Riyadh and Islamabad.
Going by chronology, Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established their bilateral relationship soon Pakistan came into being in 1947. This beginning of relations between the two Muslim countries was based on solid foundation of Islamic ideology. Since Pakistan came into being, based on Islamic ideology and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was protecting, maintaining and indeed taking extreme care of two Holiest Places of Islam; the Holy Mosque (KaabaTullah) and Masjid al-Nabawi therefore a unanimity of religious norms and values further deepened this bilateral relationship. Indeed, Muslims of Sub-continent had deep religious affiliation with their Holy Places, protected and secured by the Kingdom. Once Pakistan becomes a reality, this relationship was further diversified and reinforced at three levels; the people to people relationship, the state to state relationship and strategic relationship among the militaries of both states.
Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a “Treaty of Friendship” in 1951. This treaty in fact laid the formal basis for the bilateral relationship between these two Muslim brothers. Apart from cooperation between the two, this Treaty of Friendship devised a mechanism for political, diplomatic, cultural, economic and religious relationship between Kingdom and Pakistan. Based on this, bilateral relations “were buttressed over the coming decades by a tradition of strong financial and strategic assistance extended to each other by the two brotherly countries whenever required.”Since the Middle East has been in turmoil ever since WW-I, therefore, the role of Saudi Arabia has been very significant, unique and indeed bringing stability in the entire Arab world. From the establishment of the Kingdom in early 1930s till to-date, there have been many challenges to the successive kings of this great Muslim Kingdom which successive kings coped with lot of wisdom.
Upon taking over the power in 2015, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz reiterated his relationship with Pakistan at all level; the political, strategic, economic, cultural and people to people. Under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohmmad Bin Salman (MBS) there has been revitalization in Saudi Kingdom at political, military, economic and cultural level in last five years. Kingdom has been reformed under the vision of MBS which aims at bringing; element of moderation in Saudi society, futuristic approach in education, pluralism and a corruption free environment. In this brief period of King Salman’s reign, Saudi Arabia met the challenges of Yemen war, crisis in Iran-Saudi relations, internal militancy, Syrian crisis, the major power’s interests in the Arabian Gulf, the modernization of Saudi armed forces and most significant to harmonize the Saudi civil society. While keeping his son, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman at the forefront, King Salman is tackling all these challenges with a forethought and great prudence. Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan has unparalleled services and contributions towards advancement, strengthening and revitalization of bilateral relationship between Riyadh and Islamabad.
It was his personnel efforts alongside Pakistani Foreign Ministry that, Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) visited Islamabad in February 2019. That visit in fact marked the beginning of a new era in the Pak-Saudi relationship. Owing to his magnanimous personality and commitments for Pak-Saudi relationship, Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki is highly popular among the people of Pakistan, media circle and academic community of Pakistan. His opinions have always been valued by the Government of Pakistan and the military circle of Pakistan. The time period of Amb Al-Malki in Pakistan and King Salman has corresponded with lot of challenges. Both countries very well managed the bilateral, regional and global issues through unanimity of strategies and cooperative forethoughts.
Islamabad and Riyadh would never let their foes to create any sort of delusion in their marvellous bilateral historic relationship. Indeed, Pak-Saudi relationship has stood the test of time. Both brotherly countries are determined to support each other at crucial times. Both share their concerns over regional and international issues through the bond of bilateralism. Indeed, “Over the years, the two countries have also succeeded in developing a unique synergy for mutual development.” During the era of King Salman and Crown Prince MBS this relationship has further strengthened to make a new history of bilateral cooperation at political, military, economic and cultural level.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
