- Saudi Arabia’s unwavering assistance to Pakistan, from flood relief to economic investments, reflects a deep-rooted cooperation
Since its founding in 1947, Pakistan has maintained close and warm relations with Saudi Arabia. These ties are deeply rooted in centuries-old religious, cultural, and commercial connections between the two nations.
In 1951, a Treaty of Friendship formalised their partnership, laying the foundation for ongoing cooperation. Over the years, this relationship has been strengthened by mutual financial and strategic support, particularly during times of need.
Pakistan being a third world country, Saudi Arabia has always stood at the forefront during any economic recession and climatic disasters. Saudi Arabia has played an exemplary role throughout the flooding situation, which took place inside Pakistan taking the lives of countless people, houses destroyed to the ground calamities which weren’t seen since the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
Saudi Arabia has given a total of $1 billion to Pakistan. Moreover economically Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan by being the largest source of petroleum. Furthermore it provides remittance to Pakistani migrants living in Saudi Arabia and is the major source of foreign currency in Pakistan. Though trade is also economically related, however, I would like to treat it as another reason for such good relations. Pakistan has a trade surplus of 507 million with Saudi Arabia; with food product, textile products and engineering products being our main trade with them. A number of monuments in Pakistan bear testimony to the depth of our bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia. The establishment of the Islamic University Islamabad for $10 million and Faisal Mosque in Islamabad is a key landmark building of Saudi-Pak relations in the capital of Pakistan.
Some way or the other Pakistan being of utmost strategic importance has always attracted the Saudis for investment. Such as the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister to to meet the Saudi Crown Prince after pilgrimage where he was able pledged of an investment of $25 billion. Although it is unclear where Riyadh will put this money but it is highly likely to be given in mining especially in the Reko Diq project.
We have been having ties of brotherhood ever since Pakistan came into being. King Saud came to Pakistan and tried to fix the homelessness problem especially in Karachi where he made the neighbourhood Saudabad.
In a nutshell whether it is Saudi Arabia or any other country, Pakistan wants investment from. Three things are essential for a safe environment for investment which are political stability, security guarantees and continuity of economic policies, but even after all these failures to do so Saudi Arabia has always stood with Pakistan.
The contributor is Assistant professor, Periodontology Department, KMDC