Pakistan, Saudi Arabia have chance to deepen evergreen relationship
Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are time-tested. They are based on the solid foundation of common values and shared geopolitical interests. Vibrant defense co-operation has traditionally been the linchpin of these ties, but lately both nations have realized that their commercial relations do not match the high level of political understanding. A joint chamber of commerce is, therefore, being established to give a fillip to the commercial exchanges.
In order to sort out routine commercial problems, the joint ministerial commission meets every three months. This activation of commercial ties has added yet another dimension to this evergreen relationship.
Saudi Arabia hosts over two million expatriate Pakistanis — the largest Pakistani community abroad. Those skilled workers have not only contributed their share to the development of the Kingdom, but are also the highest contributors of foreign exchange remittance to Pakistan. In 2016, the remittances from Saudi Arabia amounted to $5.9 billion. That provided Pakistan a much-needed balance of payment support. Right now, Pakistani imports of oil and oil products from Saudi Arabia do not appear very high compared to the total oil exports from the Kingdom. However, when oil exports to China start via the Pakistani port of Gwadar and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a new dimension will be added to the bilateral economic links.
Bilateral defense cooperation started in the 1960s but was formalized through a protocol in 1982. The protocol signaled a realization that the post-1979 threat perception was vastly different and demanded a fresh response. Both Pakistan and the Kingdom had identical views on the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan; they firmly believed in the principle of non-intervention in the affairs of other nations. However, experience shows that realpolitik does, at times, ignore such lofty principles.
Bilateral defense cooperation in the 1980s focused mainly on the training of personnel. It is estimated that, so far, 10,000 soldiers from Saudi Arabia have been trained at various Pakistani institutions.
The attacks on 9/11 were a cataclysmic event that changed threat perceptions globally. Non-state actors, professing and practicing venomous extremism leading to terrorism, were now a reality. Cyber-attacks, psychological warfare through advanced media techniques, and the use of missiles and drones were all new, non-conventional means of warfare. Armed forces no longer have to face each other physically in order to fight. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia started Al-Samsam 3 exercises in 2009 and these have been a regular feature ever since. Toward the end of 2017, both armed forces brought their special troops together twice in order to hone techniques to combat terrorists on the ground in exercises called Al-Shehab 1 and Al-Shehab 2.
The full potential of bilateral cooperation is yet to be reached — joint defense production and agricultural projects are promising areas for development.
Javed Hafeez
This year’s Gulf Shield international military exercise in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province was an extraordinary event. It took more than a year to prepare and lasted for more than a month, with armed forces from 25 nations taking part. What distinguished the Pakistani participation was the fact that all three armed forces sent a contingent. A five-ship flotilla of the Pakistan Navy docked at Jubail to participate with other naval units in practicing defense techniques against irregular warfare at sea. Pakistani-manufactured JF-17 Thunder aircraft impressed with their capacity for airborne maneuvers. With a vast area and air space to defend, the importance of a credible air force for Saudi Arabia is obvious. Pakistan’s prime minister, defense minister and army chief attended various sessions of this international event, which was meticulously organized by the hosts.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, who are working together to ensure regional peace and security, are often called friends in need. Saudi Arabia was a major donor for the rehabilitation of earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan in 2005. Five basic health units and 20 schools established in the area will always remind residents of the caring attitude of Saudi Arabia’s rulers and its people. Similarly, the Kingdom was in the vanguard of nations helping Pakistan in the aftermath of devastating floods in 2010, pledging $400 million in assistance. Earlier, the Kingdom had helped Pakistan in a big way after it faced sanctions in 1998 following nuclear tests.
The full potential of bilateral cooperation is yet to be reached — joint defense production and agricultural projects are promising areas for development. And Saudi interest in the Gwadar Port is understandable as China is one of the world’s leading energy importers. This evergreen strategic relationship will blossom more with the passage of time; and it will not only benefit the two countries, but the entire region.
• Javed Hafeez is a former Pakistani diplomat with much experience of the Middle East. He writes weekly columns in Pakistani and Gulf newspapers and appears regularly on satellite TV channels as a defense and political analyst. Twitter: @hafiz_javed
