GIVEN the strong bonds and affection that exists between the
peoples of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the visit of their top leadership to each other’s country always assumes great significance.
The recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the KSA was the second in this year during which he attended a couple of important events including Pakistan-Saudi Investment Forum and Middle East Green Initiative besides holding talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
These very engagements really indicate that both the countries are exploring avenues to diversify their relationship.
The very visionary Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives offer an excellent opportunity to both the fraternal countries to collectively move forward to address the issue of climate change given the fact these are very much aligned with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nature based initiatives of Clean and Green Pakistan and Ten Billion Tree Tsunami.
The Kingdom has also set the target of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2060 and aims to generate 50% of its energy from renewables by 2030.
Pakistan is also focusing on renewable energy to reduce dependence on expensive imported fuel. Hence we will suggest that the relevant authorities of both the countries sit together to frame a collective strategy to exploit the potential of renewable energy.
Support to each other in this pivotal sector will be a win-win for both of us.
During the high profile visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to Islamabad back in 2019, the Kingdom had announced investment portfolio of about $ 20 billion dollars.
Rather Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman said this is only the first phase and the investment will be further increased in the months and years ahead. As the Covid-19 situation is improving now, both the sides should work towards realization of those agreements.
Both the countries have always stood by each other in difficult times and strong economic relations will bring them further close to each other.
The private sector as also pointed out by PM Khan whilst addressing the investment forum has an important role to fortify the economic relations.
