FOREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has done well by rubbishing reports about a rift in relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), clarifying also that Riyadh had neither demanded of Islamabad to pay back loans nor stopped the oil supply. At a media conference in Islamabad on Monday, he described the ties between the two countries as ‘long standing and people centric’.
It is hoped that the categorical statement of the Minister would bring to an end the campaign being launched by some vested interests in some sections of national media and social media about estranged relationship over Qureshi’s remarks concerning OIC’s role vis-à-vis Kashmir issue. In fact, the perception was strengthened by uncalled for remarks of the Foreign Minister, which were considered as unusual in diplomacy. It was responsibility of the Foreign Office to do damage control but unfortunately it too preferred to explain the rationale of remarks of the Minister, causing further confusion on the matter. However, things started improving after timely visit of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the Kingdom and now Minister’s clarification should bring all sorts of speculations to an end. Misunderstanding, even if it existed, was nothing new in international relations but it matters much how you handle the situation to smoothen ties. There is no doubt that strong relations with KSA are longstanding and based on people-to-people contacts and these cannot be damaged or derailed by some stray incident. It is historical reality that Saudi Arabia always proved itself as sincere and committed friend of Pakistan, providing moral, diplomatic, political and economic support to the country at times of need. At some points of time in history, it was the aid provided by Saudi Arabia that kept the economy of Pakistan afloat and saved its people from worst effects of some particular situations. No one can forget the generous assistance provided by the Kingdom during natural calamities and in the aftermath of detonation of nuclear device by Pakistan when other members of the global community halted their cooperation with the country on flimsy grounds. People of Pakistan have great love and respect for Saudi people and leadership and their mutual relationship is unbreakable. This should be fully known to all those who try to spoil the ties.
