Pakistan eagerly awaited the visit of Crown Prince His Royal Highness, Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. We welcome His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to his second home.
When Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed power. King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud were the first to congratulate Prime Minister Imran Khan over the assumption of power indicating their enhanced interest in taking the relations between the two countries to new heights. Prime Minister Imran Khan has also visited Saudi Arabia twice since assuming the mantle of premiership of the country. The desire for giving a new direction to the mutual ties stems from compatibility of visions of the leaders of the two countries for transformational change in governance to cope with emerging challenges.
The vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to transform Pakistan on the lines of state of Madina matches the eagerness of the Saudi leaders to implement vision 2030 which aims at opening up the Saudi society in line with the modern realities while maintaining Islamic moorings of the country. The recent opening up of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reflects the broad parameters of this new vision of inclusive social transformation according to Islamic principles. Pakistan is fully supportive of it.
Pakistan since its creation has been pursuing a foreign policy focused on developing special relations with the Muslim countries in line with the vision of its founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who envisaged creation of a solid bloc of all Muslim states. Relations with Saudi Arabia are the pivot of the goals of Quaid's dream. Both the countries have not only worked together from the platform of OIC to espouse and support the causes of the Muslim World but have also sought to develop impregnable bilateral relations to their mutual advantage.
The ties between the two countries are based on religious, cultural, political, defence cooperation, commercial and strategic affinities, which have progressed from strength to strength. The relations between the two countries are aptly reflected in this quote by Paulo Coelho; 'Friendship is not about whom you have known the longest---it is about who came and never left'.
The Saudi leaders as custodians of the Two Holy Mosques of Islam are held in the highest esteem by the people of Pakistan as well as its leaders. Promotion of culture and media exchanges play a pivotal role in creating understanding among the masses. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have also supported each other at international forums.
Recently Pakistani film 'Parwaaz Hai Junoon' was premiered in Saudi cinemas and it is expected that cultural cooperation between the two countries will grow further, in the wake of the visit of Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al- Saud. A formal MoU will be signed between the two countries to promote cultural and media cooperation. This added dimension to relations between the two countries will foster, strengthen and sustain people-to-people contact between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia like a true friend and a brotherly Muslim country has shown exceptional commitment to support and assist Pakistan.
Whenever Pakistan faced any adversity, financial challenges or natural calamity Saudi Arabia was always among the first countries to offer help and assistance. Pakistan has also been in the forefront in assisting Saudi Arabia to ward off external threats to her territorial integrity and security concerns.
It is Pakistan's declared policy that in case of threats to Saudi territorial integrity Pakistan considers its obligation to defend Saudi Arabia and has vowed to defend the holy cities at all costs if God forbid it were to be attacked. This legacy of cooperation and support has been taken to the next level by the Government of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pak-Saudi brotherhood for peace progress and development will be further nourished in the times to come.
Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent visit to Saudi Arabia resulted in a package of US$ 6 billion comprising US$ 3 billion as balance of payment support for one year and supply of US$ 3 billion worth of oil on deferred payment for three years. The Saudi leaders are also keen on setting up oil refinery at Gwadar as well as development of mineral resources which will translate into considerable direct Saudi investment in Pakistan. Various Agreements for Saudi investments in Pakistan are likely to be signed during the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's interest in investments in Pakistan demonstrates its economic potential. "This is the time to invest in Pakistan", said Prime Minister Imran Khan in his speech at the UAE World Summit. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the first to recognize this potential.
The relations between the two countries notwithstanding rapid changes in the geo-political and security situation in the Middle East are poised to gain strength with every passing day. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are indispensable for each other and the leaders of the two countries and their people understand this imperative unambiguously.
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