Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: Dynamics and Dimensions of Relations.

Byline: Muhammad Asif Noor

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will be in Islamabad over the weekend for a historic and momentous visit to Islamabad with his high powered entourage of Ministers and aids expected to sign eight major agreements of cooperation worth billions of dollars bailing out Pakistan from its economic vows. The associates include ministers, advisers and CEOs of the large Saudi Companies ready to invest in Pakistan. These agreements are in the areas of investment, finance, power, internal security, renewable energy, media, culture and sports. The investment is expected to reach up to $12 billion for all the projects wherein the largest would be the agreement to set up an oil refinery by Aramco including a petrochemical complex in Gwadar. During the visit, the Crown Prince will meet the Prime Minister, President and other high official including the state level reception in the honor of the visiting dignitaries. There is fool proof security plan has been developed.

For smooth and effective implementation of these expected agreements, a coordination council will be established jointly headed by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Imran Khan apart from representation from the relevant Ministries. Over the years, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue building unwavering diplomatic relations based on the commitment to support each other for the promotion of the peace and prosperity. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share common religious affinity and greater extent shared foreign policy goals on global convergence on issues related to extremism, terrorism and security issues. Both states have a common urge to uplift the solidarity in the Muslim world especially Pakistan as a leading Islamic nuclear power and Saudi Arabia as powerful regional state as a custodian of Holy places of Islam. One of the core dimensions of the relations has remained the support in terms of economic assistance that Saudi Arabia has provided to Pakistan during the time of crisis.

Formal diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia established and dates back to the time of independence of Pakistan however the spiritual and religious connection with the Kingdom has remained centuries old due to the pilgrimage to the sacred affinities with holy places. During the early times of the freedom struggle in the subcontinent in early 1940s the then crown Prince Saud Bin Abdul Aziz made a historic visit to Karachi hence set the foundation for the long standing...