18 October 2003
JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have traditionally enjoyed very close relations. Religious affinity and historical ties have led to understanding on almost all regional and international issues. The relationship is based on mutual trust and confidence and draws its strength from a common cultural heritage and shared values.
Since its foundation in 1947, Pakistan has established a strong sense of community with the Islamic countries of the Middle East, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a fundamental principle of its foreign policy. These close brotherly ties have been further strengthened by mutual feelings of Islamic brotherhood and concern for the well-being of the Islamic Ummah. The close cooperation between the two countries is also evidenced in the support Riyadh and Islamabad extend to each other in international forums such as the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and others.
Saudi Arabia has provided and continues to provide considerable economic and financial assistance, which has played an important role in the economic development of Pakistan. The brotherly relations have been marked by regular exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries, the most recent being that of the president of Pakistan to the Kingdom in June 2003 and the current visit of the crown prince to Pakistan. The visit of the crown prince will give the two leaders an opportunity to discuss not only the current situation in South Asia but also recent developments in the Middle East, the Gulf region and Afghanistan besides reinforcing Pakistan’s bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia in all fields.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed cordial relations. These were cemented by visits of King Saud and King Faisal. Both were given an extraordinary welcome. In 1974 King Faisal played a pivotal role at the historic Lahore summit in getting Pakistan and the newly founded state of Bangladesh together.
The 1970s witnessed closer economic and military relations, and many Pakistanis took part in the Kingdom’s development program. The invasion of Afghanistan by the then Soviet Union and the efforts to contain the “red menace” brought the countries together.
Saudi Arabia provided help both in cash and kind to alleviate the suffering of the millions of Afghans who fled their homes and took shelter in neighboring Pakistan.
It was during this period that the Iran-Iraq war took place. Saddam’s megalomania shattered illusions of Islamic unity. Here both countries, as important members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and neighbors to the warring sides, tried to coordinate diplomatic efforts to put an end to the conflict.
The 1980s also witnessed the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the displacement of Palestinians. The massacres of Sabra and Shatilla and the inhuman treatment of Palestinians by Sharon and his hordes caused concern, and both countries did their best to project the voice of the Palestinians.
The new political dimensions and geo-political changes of the late 1980s once again brought Saudi Arabia and Pakistan together to work to meet the challenges facing them. The invasion of Kuwait brought an active Pakistani role because its troops were part of the Coalition that came to Saudi Arabia.
Sept. 11, a day which brought harm and grief to so many innocent people, once again raised the profiles of both countries in the face of increased challenges. But they coordinated their efforts to fight terrorism. Saudi Arabia was among the first to ratify the 40 recommendations of the financial action task force on money laundering in 1999 and implemented Security Council resolutions concerning freezing of accounts.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were also united in raising awareness among clerics to promote the values of freedom, self-expression and tolerance.
Pakistan is at the tip of the Gulf. It is linked to the GCC countries through historical, cultural and economic ties. A strong and stable Pakistan is a source of security for the region. As the region faces mounting challenges from a multitude of sources, it is imperative that both countries work together closely to contain them.
JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have traditionally enjoyed very close relations. Religious affinity and historical ties have led to understanding on almost all regional and international issues. The relationship is based on mutual trust and confidence and draws its strength from a common cultural heritage and shared values.
Since its foundation in 1947, Pakistan has established a strong sense of community with the Islamic countries of the Middle East, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a fundamental principle of its foreign policy. These close brotherly ties have been further strengthened by mutual feelings of Islamic brotherhood and concern for the well-being of the Islamic Ummah. The close cooperation between the two countries is also evidenced in the support Riyadh and Islamabad extend to each other in international forums such as the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and others.
Saudi Arabia has provided and continues to provide considerable economic and financial assistance, which has played an important role in the economic development of Pakistan. The brotherly relations have been marked by regular exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries, the most recent being that of the president of Pakistan to the Kingdom in June 2003 and the current visit of the crown prince to Pakistan. The visit of the crown prince will give the two leaders an opportunity to discuss not only the current situation in South Asia but also recent developments in the Middle East, the Gulf region and Afghanistan besides reinforcing Pakistan’s bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia in all fields.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed cordial relations. These were cemented by visits of King Saud and King Faisal. Both were given an extraordinary welcome. In 1974 King Faisal played a pivotal role at the historic Lahore summit in getting Pakistan and the newly founded state of Bangladesh together.
The 1970s witnessed closer economic and military relations, and many Pakistanis took part in the Kingdom’s development program. The invasion of Afghanistan by the then Soviet Union and the efforts to contain the “red menace” brought the countries together.
Saudi Arabia provided help both in cash and kind to alleviate the suffering of the millions of Afghans who fled their homes and took shelter in neighboring Pakistan.
It was during this period that the Iran-Iraq war took place. Saddam’s megalomania shattered illusions of Islamic unity. Here both countries, as important members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and neighbors to the warring sides, tried to coordinate diplomatic efforts to put an end to the conflict.
The 1980s also witnessed the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the displacement of Palestinians. The massacres of Sabra and Shatilla and the inhuman treatment of Palestinians by Sharon and his hordes caused concern, and both countries did their best to project the voice of the Palestinians.
The new political dimensions and geo-political changes of the late 1980s once again brought Saudi Arabia and Pakistan together to work to meet the challenges facing them. The invasion of Kuwait brought an active Pakistani role because its troops were part of the Coalition that came to Saudi Arabia.
Sept. 11, a day which brought harm and grief to so many innocent people, once again raised the profiles of both countries in the face of increased challenges. But they coordinated their efforts to fight terrorism. Saudi Arabia was among the first to ratify the 40 recommendations of the financial action task force on money laundering in 1999 and implemented Security Council resolutions concerning freezing of accounts.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were also united in raising awareness among clerics to promote the values of freedom, self-expression and tolerance.
Pakistan is at the tip of the Gulf. It is linked to the GCC countries through historical, cultural and economic ties. A strong and stable Pakistan is a source of security for the region. As the region faces mounting challenges from a multitude of sources, it is imperative that both countries work together closely to contain them.
Khaled A. Al-Maeena
© Arab News 2003
