Intensity of bilateral relations between two brotherly countries Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are getting momentum these days. Islamabad and Riyadh has become the hub of diplomatic activities. Meaningful series of high officials exchange visits show the strong desire of both the countries to further deepening of the bilateral relations.
Islamabad and Riyadh: Hub of Diplomatic Activities
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Chairman of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and Deputy Defence Minister Prince Suleman bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz recently visited Pakistan where they met with Prime Minister, President and Security Advisor of Pakistan. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif also visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He met with Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and many other dignitaries. It seems that bilateral relations between the two countries have been now reformed in the multidimensional integration stage which would be good for both the countries in the days to come.
Crown Prince Salman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense’s Visit
Most recently, Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Prince H.E. Salman bin Abdul Aziz visited Pakistan. The Prince met with President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and senior officials embodied the bonds of strong fraternal ties binding the two countries. He also met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashid Mahmood.
The visit pointed that the Saudi side hoped for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions so that it could contribute to the achievement of permanent peace and stability in the region. Joint statement is given below as:
(a) Commitment to fight extremism and terrorism
Both the countries reiterated their commitment to fight extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and continue to cooperate in the field of exchange of security-related information.
(b) Importance of security cooperation
Both sides emphasised the importance of security cooperation to combat the crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering.
(c) Saudi Arabian welcomed the positive developments in the Indo-Pak relations
The Saudi Arabian side welcomed the positive developments in the Indo-Pak relations, which would reflect positively in the interest of the two neighbouring countries and stability in South Asia.
(d) Collective support for Afghan reconciliation
Both the countries expressed their support for Afghan reconciliation by including all sides and components of the Afghan society to arrive at restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. They underlined support for the political process through holding elections scheduled for April 2014.
(e) Strengthening of cooperation
Both side agreed strengthen cooperation in various fields for the promotion of the causes of the Muslim Ummah as well as international peace and stability.
(f) Greater economic integration
Both the countries agreed to expand and improve investment, trade, energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and exchange of government delegations for mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
(g) Further fortifying the existing political relations
The resolve has been shown that the two sides will continue to work on further fortifying the existing political relations between the two countries through regular holding of bilateral consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
(h) Further enhancing of defence cooperation
The two sides also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of defence. During his stay in Pakistan Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Rashid Mahmood. The Army chief and the Saudi Crown Prince discussed the security situation in the region. General Rashid Mahmood discussed Saudi-Pak defence agenda and both countries agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation. Moreover, it was also agreed in the meeting that the two countries would share counter-terrorism intelligence whereas a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would also be signed in the field of security cooperation.
Saudi Crown Prince and Defence Minister Salman bin Abdul Aziz had also meeting with Minister for Defence Khawaja Mohammad Asif. Both agreed on exchange of military personnel for training. Pakistani defence minister proposed joint ventures in defence production. According to statement of ministry of defence, both the sides discussed matters of mutual cooperation in the field of defence. They showed keen interest in extending cooperation in the field of defence and matters of defence trainings, and cooperation in the field of education was broadly discussed.
Saudi Arabia greatly appreciated the capacity of Pakistan defence industry and cooperation in the field of defence production also came under discussion. The minister reiterated that both the countries could be self-sufficient in defence equipment production besides exporting them to international market.
(i) Signing of the agreements and MoUs
Both sides acknowledged the importance of completing necessary measures for signing of the agreements and MoUs in different fields, including Islamic affairs and endowments, labour, manpower, sports and an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investment in the two countries.
(j) Syria’s conflict resolution
The two sides reiterated the need for finding a quick solution of the existing conflict in Syria according to Geneva Resolution in order to restore peace and security in Syria and prevent bloodshed of the Syrian people. In this regard, both sides called for the importance of immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed forces and elements from Syrian territory and lifting siege of the Syrian towns and villages and stopping aerial and artillery bombardment.
Pakistan stands committed to its stance on the withdrawal of foreign armed forces from Syria, ending siege of different cities and an end to bombardment, enabling the people there to run the affairs of the country. Pakistan is also committed to its stance on protection of territorial sovereignty of Syria, end to atrocities and contributing to international efforts for restoration of peace in the restive country, respect to the masses opinion and initiation of dialogue to defuse the situation.
(k) Speeding up humanitarian diplomacy
The two countries also called for setting up safe corridors and regions to deliver food and humanitarian aid to besieged Syrian citizens, under international supervision and formation of transitional governing body with full executive powers enabling it to take charge of the affairs of the country.
(l) Support the Palestinian right
According to joint statement the two sides reaffirmed their consistent stand to support the Palestinian right to arrive at a just solution, which would lead to establishment of Palestinian State with Al-Quds as its capital. The two sides reiterated the need for stopping Israeli actions, including continuation of building settlements and putting impediments to peace efforts. They stressed that the peace efforts should be based on Arab peace initiatives and the relevant UN Resolutions, the statement added.
(m) Further strengthening unity among the Islamic countries
Pakistan supports efforts of Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening unity among the Islamic countries,” the prime minister added. Both the leaders expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation in various fields for the promotion of the causes of Muslim Ummah as well as international peace and stability.
Agreement on export facility
During the visit the two countries inked an agreement on export credit facility of US$125 million for purchase of Urea from Saudi Arabia and agreement of US $58 million funding by the Saudi Fund for Development of Golen Gol Hydropower Project in Chitral.
Western Propaganda
Right after the visit of Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Prince H.E. Salman bin Abdul Aziz to Pakistan; western mass media published baseless news items and articles on the issue of Syria and real motives of enhancing Pak-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations. According to different reports, Saudi Arabia demanded Pakistan’s martial support on the issue of Syria by sending/deploying 40,000/50,000 soldiers to its soil. They would allegedly fight long with rebels in Syria to topple the current regime. Another untrue story was published in many western media outfits that Saudi Arabia is reportedly in talks with Pakistan to provide anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets to Syrian rebels fighting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Jordan will be providing facilities to store the weapons before they are delivered to rebels in Syria.
Pakistan’s foreign office has already strongly condemned these allegations by saying Saudi Arabia never requested to do so. Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz categorically rejected the sale of arms to rebels for use in Syria or a change in Pakistan’s policy on that country under the alleged Saudi pressure. Sartaj said during the visit of Saudi crown prince to Pakistan, the two sides had only decided to enhance their bilateral defence cooperation Pakistan’s government seeks quick peace in Syria through peaceful means, dialogue and diplomacy.
Pakistan already has three agreements on exchange of military delegations, training and employment and deputation of defence personnel in Saudi forces,” he said. He strongly rejected the media speculations about a change in Pakistan’s policy on Syria and linking it with the visit of Saudi crown prince.
It is baseless and misleading that there has been a shift in policy on Syria. Pakistan fully honours national and international laws in its agreements and sale of arms. Pakistan stands by its stance of quick solution to the Syrian conflict and restoration of peace and stability. There should be no doubt about Pakistan’s stance that Syrian sovereignty should not be violated and I reiterate this position of the government,” Sartaj Aziz maintained.
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud’s Visit: First Giant Step towards Cultural and Tourism Integration
Prince Sultan, who is the Chairman of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, also visited Pakistan. During his stay he inaugurated the Centre for Education Research and Social Development at the Sultana Foundation run by his family. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia showed great interests to enhance their cooperation in the fields of defence and security. On its part, Riyadh has expressed its interest in expanding its investment portfolio in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Huge Natural Tourism Potential
President Mamnoon Hussain told Prince Sultan that Pakistan government “desires to further strengthen the strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation in all fields to the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries”. The President said that Pakistan offers huge natural tourism potential and urged for increased cooperation between Pakistan Tourism departments and museums and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). He also stressed for promoting archaeological arts and handicrafts, tourism and people to people contacts between the two countries.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and KSA have always stood by each other in testing times and the people of Pakistan deeply value relations with the Kingdom. Nawaz discussed the tourism sector with the Saudi prince and said that Pakistan offers great opportunities for tourists and in this regard Pakistan and the KSA can share experiences.
Multifaceted Cooperation
Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif said multifaceted cooperation with Saudi Arabia in diverse fields will be enhanced. He said there were strong historical, cultural and fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and the people of the two countries were bound together in deep-rooted religious and brotherly ties.
Saudi Arabia: Time-tested Friend and True Brother
Whether it was during times of war, earthquakes, floods or any other natural calamity, Saudi Arabia had stood by Pakistan. He said that Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi government and the people of Saudi Arabia had always extended the fullest support to Pakistan. He said that the recent visit of the Saudi prince to Pakistan would further strengthen brotherly and friendly ties between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia’s desires Pakistan’s Political and Economic Stability
Saudi Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz said Saudi Arabia attached great importance to the historical and friendly ties with Pakistan and desired political and economic stability of the country. He said the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were permanent and lasting and would further strengthen in future.
Conclusion
Keeping in view the emerging geo-political and geo-strategic trends in the Asia (Afghanistan: withdrawal of allied forces, presidential election, grand domestic bargaining), initiative of Talks with Taliban and Pakistan, Iran (paradigm shift in the US and EU foreign policies towards Iran, collective bargaining on its nuclear program, changing scenarios in the regional power politics), Deteriorating law and order situation in Syria and its spillover implications, Bahrain (coping with the external infiltration), Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan and Jordan strategic re-mapping are crucial for both the countries. So, both countries must initiative integrated efforts to bring peace in the region and Middle East. Greater economic integration and further enhancing of defence cooperation hold the key of success, regional peace and unity of Muslim Ummah.
