Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrapped up a 3-day important visit to brotherly country of Saudi Arabia on Saturday during which he held extensive talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Jeddah and discussed ways and means to strengthen bilateral economic investment and trade ties between the two countries.
Though it is not immediately clear as to what has been firmed up to take forward the relationship, the Prime Minister in his tweet however shared that both the sides have reaffirmed their commitment to take bilateral ties to a new and higher level.
The warmth and bondage that exists in Pak-Saudi relations is unique and cannot be explained in words.
The nature of this exceptional relationship can be gauged from the fact that any new Prime Minister in Pakistan mostly undertakes his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also rightly opted for the same and kind of traditional warmth and cordial reception he was accorded by the Saudi leadership clearly indicated the depth of this relationship which is rooted in love between the two peoples and immune to changes in leadership.
The elementary features of this relationship are strong religious affinity, bilateral resolve, assured support and pragmatism.
It is a matter of satisfaction that these relations have been witnessing an upward trajectory in all diplomatic fields, including political, economic, social, and strategic cooperation.
While attaining dynamism in their bilateral relationship, both countries urge more exclusivity, steadiness and perpetuity in their relations as reinforcing factors.
The role of national institutions of both countries has been commendable in evolving and consolidating their traditional bondage.
This all-weather relationship has always stood the test of odd days and disturbing times. During almost all crises, Pakistan has supported the Kingdom with resolute support.
Many Pakistanis are working in various parts of Saudi Arabia as engineers, teachers, doctors, workers, and construction experts.
Indeed Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia considered it as their homeland. The people of Pakistan also hold the Saudi leadership in high esteem for being Custodian to the two holy Mosques.
Saudi Arabia has always been forthcoming in bailing out Pakistan’s economy. Whenever we are faced with difficult situation, our leadership primarily looks towards the brotherly country that has never disappointed with its response.
Reportedly, the Saudis have agreed to extend another bailout package during PM Shehbaz’s visit, which indeed will provide a much needed support and cushion to Pakistan when prices of petroleum products are reaching record levels.
We, however, will suggest our government to focus more on developing a strong and long term economic partnership with the Kingdom in order to take the country towards self- reliance where it is not required to spread the begging bowl before friendly countries every three or five years.
The visit of Saudi Crown Prince to Islamabad back in 2019 was very important, as at that time the Kingdom had pledged investment of $20 billion.
Upon signing seven MoUs, the Crown Prince had also stated it is just a beginning, and there will be a gradual increase in Saudi investment in days to come.
From Pakistani perspective, it is a big investment plan, provided it gets implemented. The visit of PM Shehbaz Sharif will have provided an opportunity to our side to discuss that investment pour into Pakistan that undeniably will open new vistas of opportunities for us.
The Saudi investment for establishing an oil refinery would make a long-term impact. Through its establishment, crude oil from the Middle East will be transported to Pakistan and exported to energy-deficient Asian countries like China and ASEAN.
Similarly, other areas of cooperation can also be exploited to give further impetus to the economic partnership.
We will suggest that Saudi investors be invited to Pakistan and a briefing be given to them about prospects of investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being established under multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Their investment in the SEZs will help populate the SEZs at a rapid pace and also encourage other countries in the Gulf to make investments in them.
Given the speed with which PM Shehbaz works, we are confident that economic partnership with Saudi Arabia will be pursued with much more vigour to take this relationship to new heights, as an economically strong Pakistan will also be a matter of strength for KSA.
