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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will expect Saudi Arabia to help build its foreign exchange reserves through trade, investment and the parking of its dollars in Pakistani banks as part of a renewed strategic relationship to be discussed during the visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal to Pakistan on January 6, a key government source has claimed.
Categorically denying that the visit had anything to do with General Musharraf and his possible exile, the source said this visit would focus on furthering bilateral relations in order to secure each others’ interests in the backdrop of recent developments in international politics.
This is the first high-profile visit of any Saudi official since the Nawaz Sharif government took charge and following the recent straining of relations between Riyadh and Washington.
The rulers in Riyadh are said to be deeply involved in the politics of Egypt, Syria and Iran and for the same reason it has developed differences with the US and certain other western nations.
Pakistan, which has always enjoyed excellent relations with Saudi Arabia, is expected to offer its help to normalize relations between Riyadh and Tehran.
Pakistan will reiterate its position that it wants good relations with all and wants peace with all its neighbours.
Pakistan has always stayed away from intra-Arab and other disputes, and would do so even now and will offer whatever help it can to improve relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan would advocate the settlement of differences between the two,” the source said.
The Saudi rulers, who are reported to have hundreds of billions of dollars in the US and western banks, would be encouraged not only to invest in Pakistan, but would also be invited to keep a share of their foreign deposits in Pakistani banks. Riyadh would be told that Pakistan is an excellent option for foreign investment.
Pakistan would also press for the improvement in bilateral trade besides offering Riyadh the purchase of small arms and equipment from its defence industry instead of going for much more expensive purchases from countries like France and Italy.
As stated by the Foreign Office on Friday, the source confirmed that the visit was planned a few months back and had nothing to do with the Pervez Musharraf case or to seek his release as speculated by the media.
The FO spokesperson on Friday said: “These media reports are fascinating. Even when the UAE president arrived on a private visit for hunting in Pakistan, I read reports that he has come on a special flight with the purpose of taking former president Musharraf along.”
According to the source, within a few weeks of the conclusion of the Saudi FM’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan some conspicuous developments are expected to take place indicating what the source termed the further cementing of the strategic relationship between the two brother countries.
Regarding Musharraf, the source reiterated the government’s statement that there is no pressure from Riyadh to let Musharraf off the hook. It is also said that during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s last meeting with King Abdullah in last Ramadan not a word was discussed about the dictator facing a treason case in Pakistan.
It is said that the Saudi rulers had asked Musharraf not to return to Pakistan but he did not listen to them. For the same reason, it is claimed by the government source that no key ruler had met Musharraf during his last stop in Riyadh. Despite Musharraf’s wish, he could not see Saudi Intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan and ended up meeting Prince Bandar’s deputy.
Pakistan will try to bridge Saudi-Iranian differences - thenews.com.pk
Categorically denying that the visit had anything to do with General Musharraf and his possible exile, the source said this visit would focus on furthering bilateral relations in order to secure each others’ interests in the backdrop of recent developments in international politics.
This is the first high-profile visit of any Saudi official since the Nawaz Sharif government took charge and following the recent straining of relations between Riyadh and Washington.
The rulers in Riyadh are said to be deeply involved in the politics of Egypt, Syria and Iran and for the same reason it has developed differences with the US and certain other western nations.
Pakistan, which has always enjoyed excellent relations with Saudi Arabia, is expected to offer its help to normalize relations between Riyadh and Tehran.
Pakistan will reiterate its position that it wants good relations with all and wants peace with all its neighbours.
Pakistan has always stayed away from intra-Arab and other disputes, and would do so even now and will offer whatever help it can to improve relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan would advocate the settlement of differences between the two,” the source said.
The Saudi rulers, who are reported to have hundreds of billions of dollars in the US and western banks, would be encouraged not only to invest in Pakistan, but would also be invited to keep a share of their foreign deposits in Pakistani banks. Riyadh would be told that Pakistan is an excellent option for foreign investment.
Pakistan would also press for the improvement in bilateral trade besides offering Riyadh the purchase of small arms and equipment from its defence industry instead of going for much more expensive purchases from countries like France and Italy.
As stated by the Foreign Office on Friday, the source confirmed that the visit was planned a few months back and had nothing to do with the Pervez Musharraf case or to seek his release as speculated by the media.
The FO spokesperson on Friday said: “These media reports are fascinating. Even when the UAE president arrived on a private visit for hunting in Pakistan, I read reports that he has come on a special flight with the purpose of taking former president Musharraf along.”
According to the source, within a few weeks of the conclusion of the Saudi FM’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan some conspicuous developments are expected to take place indicating what the source termed the further cementing of the strategic relationship between the two brother countries.
Regarding Musharraf, the source reiterated the government’s statement that there is no pressure from Riyadh to let Musharraf off the hook. It is also said that during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s last meeting with King Abdullah in last Ramadan not a word was discussed about the dictator facing a treason case in Pakistan.
It is said that the Saudi rulers had asked Musharraf not to return to Pakistan but he did not listen to them. For the same reason, it is claimed by the government source that no key ruler had met Musharraf during his last stop in Riyadh. Despite Musharraf’s wish, he could not see Saudi Intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan and ended up meeting Prince Bandar’s deputy.
Pakistan will try to bridge Saudi-Iranian differences - thenews.com.pk
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