Pakistan says 'thankful' to Saudi Arabia for its continued support

[Kailash Kumar]

Pakistan says 'thankful' to Saudi Arabia for its continued support

AAMIR SAEED

August 11, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz thanked Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for always rescuing his country in difficult times while dismissing rumors of any differences between the two countries.

“Saudi Arabia has always been with us and we are thankful to them,” the minister said while briefing reporters here in Islamabad on various decisions made during the federal cabinet meeting earlier in the day that was chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The minister said the Kingdom was a brotherly country that had “always stood by us in difficult times.”

He said that a lot of Pakistani labor was working in the Kingdom, adding that the two holiest sites of Islam were also located in the same country.

To a question about the reported return of $1 billion to Saudi Arabia, he said that the money taken as a loan. “It was taken and returned. This is not in our interest to link it [the loan issue] to other things,” he said.

Saudi Arabia extended a $6.2 billion financial package, including $3 billion cash as a soft loan and $3.2 billion of deferred oil payment facility, to Pakistan in November 2018 to help the country stave off its balance of payments crisis.

The minister said that the world was moving toward readjustment as the world order was changing, especially in the last few years.

Faraz said that like every other country, “Pakistan as a sovereign state will work in the direction and pursue objectives that reinforce its national interests.”

He also added that the country could not run an independent foreign policy without acquiring adequate economic strength.

Talking about the government’s economic achievements in the last two years, he said that Pakistan’s current account deficit was brought down from $20 billion to $3 billion while the central bank’s reserves had increased from $8.5 billion to $12.5 billion due to prudent economic policies.

The minister informed that sales of cement, fertilizers, diesel and petrol had increased many times in the last two years, reflecting an improvement of the country’s fragile economy.

He noted that the coronavirus pandemic had not hit the country’s economy as hard as other countries in the region.

“The economic revival has started … Difficult times have almost passed and better days are right ahead of us,” the minister claimed.

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1718061/pakistan

 

[MM_Haider]

when is IK taking resignation from SMQ? it is just a matter of time... spineless foreign policy evident once again

 

[Goenitz]

Saudi Arabia has always been with us and we are thankful to them,”

That is so true. SA always helped us.
Iran is our friend too, however they blamed AQ too. And fired upon our forces many times. However, both use sectarian rivalry at our soil. Not long ago, some gang was busted, who was supported by Tehran. Plus Kulbhushan came from there. But still, we must have good relation with Iran including trade, if possible.

 

[Dalit]

It wouldn’t have hurt if the Saudis also supported Pakistan on Kashmir.

 

[Goenitz]

when is IK taking resignation from SMQ? it is just a matter of time... spineless foreign policy evident once again

we can convince SA that Kashmir is core issue, so he got carried away.. it is not like gas-pipeline with Iran, or Qatar or some other things which we can neglect... like NRO to NS..

 

[MM_Haider]

we can convince SA that Kashmir is core issue, so he got carried away.. it is not like gas-pipeline with Iran, or Qatar or some other things which we can neglect... like NRO to NS..

his resignation is on the cards! mark my words!

 

[Goenitz]

his resignation is on the cards! mark my words!

I don't care. He is dispensable, heck AQ was.
However, I like and I don't like SMQ. He is experienced but need 'larger' role in politics.

 

[Chakar The Great]

I have no doubt that the statement from SMQ was government policy. He is a seasoned politician, he is very balanced when he speaks. This is how modern day government works, messages are conveyed in a way that they don't sound a threat yet make you change policy.


Pakistan wanted to convey strong message to Saudi Arabia, basically a threat to create new Islamic block with China, Iran and Turkey. Something SA cant risk. Why was Saudi Arabia threatened ?? No one really knows, Kashmir? May be.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

when is IK taking resignation from SMQ? it is just a matter of time... spineless foreign policy evident once again

Not going to happen. SMQ may have stated it undiplomatically, but over all thinking and policy seems to be in that direction. I guess we are trying to change our direction but without causing strains and damage to the current relations with Saudi block.
See these quotes below:

“ To a question about the reported return of $1 billion to Saudi Arabia, he said that the money taken as a loan. “It was taken and returned. This is not in our interest to link it [the loan issue] to other things,” he said. “
...
“ The minister said that the world was moving toward readjustment as the world order was changing, especially in the last few years.

Faraz said that like every other country, “Pakistan as a sovereign state will work in the direction and pursue objectives that reinforce its national interests.” “

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Good "diplomatic" answers...

While Pak is actively helping to put a dynamite under the "petro-dollar" to finish off MBS/MBZ/Sisi etc. the KSA is definitely feeling the pain....

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Good cop, bad cop.

Neither side sees a full rupture in ties as being in their interests.

The Saudis sent a message by refusing to convene an OIC conference on the J&K dispute, and Pakistan sent a strong message back.

Would the OIC conference have made any tangible change to the J&K dynamics? No. The Saudis are being petulant and disrespectful, and SMQ‘s statements were necessary.


Pakistan tried being nice - cancelled IK’s trip to Malaysia for the summit with Turkey to address Saudi concerns and the Saudis backstabbed us.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

It wouldn’t have hurt if the Saudis also supported Pakistan on Kashmir.

Maybe Saudi Arabia doesn't want to be seen to be openly supporting Pakistan for what's coming over the next few months.

The same can be expected from other allied nations but specifically with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan needs to secure enough oil reserves first in case of a blockade or prolonged stalemate.

 

[Dual Wielder]

Saudi Arabia has always been with us and we are thankful to them,”

The Kashmiri's being raped, slaughtered and blinded by pellets perpetrated by the armed Bharti Terrorist swines beg to differ. There is no hope for this nation if the foolish establishment continues to peddle down the same treacherous path; letting big state criminals go scott free, whilst the poor are left to pick up the tab. I somewhat find it amusing why they the 'illustrious state guardians' haven't met the same fate as the House of Romonov. Today even merely questioning Saudi's silence on Kashmir has become blasphemy.. can we sink any lower?

Moving on, let me at least patriotically make Mr. Bajwa's job easier for him, I take the old red line (Kashmir/ Indus river), and raise him his severance package, lets just hope Modi doesn't cross this one.

 

[Pied Piper]

Pakistan needs to maintain strong ties amongst its allies (even when they are falling short). It needs to lobby hard and keep ties with all key nations (especially the muslim world).

The Quranic verse about the brotherhood of believers with each other needs to be implemented; which says: "the believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy (49:10)."

This little misunderstanding etc. With Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is a wish for its enemies, especially the non-Muslim world. Look at the tabloids from India and other nations - they are loving every bit of this issue and are 'shit stirring' to make it worse. A bit like the devil who continues to whisper negativity between 2 people until they separate.

Pakistan needs to maintain all contact with its allies - it needs to lobby hard in those countries and influence/woo key players to its cause. Pakistan needs to maintain economic relations and does not need any military capacity/support from any of these nations. It does not need to create more enemies (as if it doesn't have enough already).

Pakistan armed forces (Alhamdulillah) strong enough to deter any future/potential enemy, it can certainly hold against India/Israel - with the capability to subdue/destroy these nations.

Pakistan just needs to ensure that it has the ability (via ICBM or submarine SLBM/SLCM) to penetrate bigger countries, such as the USA or its key allies. Surely the USA has the capacity to destroy Pakistan, but a few SLBM types can put the usa back to the stone age. These countries love life/dunya so would be easily deterred. Deterrence has been achieved. The North Koreans are a good example in deterring the USA - a few missiles having the ability to hit USA mainland/allies is causing deterrence.

Pakistan is able to free Kashmir from Indian oppression - it's just a matter of time. In the meanwhile it just needs to ensure its forces are ready. To fight wars...money is required...hence economically it needs to main contact with all its allies. Pakistan needs to play smart - no emotional outbursts or feeling sorry for yourself. It needs to look at the positivity and help that Pakistan had/has received from its allies, especially in the Muslim world.
Saudi Arabia and other countries have helped out Pakistan considerably in the past - if they don't do it now, this should not be the reason to curtail ties.

The non-Muslim world has humiliated the Muslim world, by deception, causing divisions amongst brother - aka divide and conquer policies. Once the muslims were divided, it became easier for muslims to get beaten up and destroyed. Look at the case with Iraq, Libya, Syria etc.

The muslims need to stop falling into this trap....United we stand, divided we fall. This is the era of fitna/tribulations - the disunity you see amongst muslim nations is a result from the disunity from the average muslim population (this goes all the way from the local village, nationally and internationally).

Pakistan needs to operate with wisdom, sabr/patience and needs to ensure that it becomes economically strong enough to deal with all current and emerging threats.

To reiterate, "the believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy (49:10)."

 

[waz]

Pakistan just needs to ensure that it has the ability (via ICBM or submarine SLBM/SLCM) to penetrate bigger countries, such as the USA or its key allies. Surely the USA has the capacity to destroy Pakistan, but a few SLBM types can put the usa back to the stone age. These countries love life/dunya so would be easily deterred. Deterrence has been achieved. The North Koreans are a good example in deterring the USA - a few missiles having the ability to hit USA mainland/allies is causing deterrence.

Bro forget about making the US into an enemy (lot's of debate on this). Consider it a love/hate relationship etc.
Pakistan doesn't have anything near an SLBM. A submarine carrying SLCM will be found and taken out before it can get near. This is the USN we are talking about.
Let's say they get hit with a nuke, how much can you take out? The US mainland is huge. Now the counter strike will eliminate Pakistan and it's people for good, as in there will be nothing left.
Yes North Korea has deterrence, have you seen how they live? Their people suffer immensely, and Pakistan has 220 million to think about.

I've said it so many times, Pakistan's only real threat is India, especially the Sanghis there. There is no way Pakistan can deal with making more enemies beyond this.

Yes help people, but I know it may hurt but I can tell you now if Pakistan was ever wiped out, very few Muslim countries would even care, bar Turkey. That's simply the way it is. If you don't believe me, ask the elders what happened in 71 and how many 'cared'.