Saudis congratulate Imran Khan on election 2018 victory.

[Indus Pakistan]

Saudis cannot help.

There two type of "financial hard times". The rich type and poor type. KSA belongs to the former. Even this year trust me you will see $billions in remittances being shifted by Indian workers from KSA to Modi's coffers. All that could have been coming to Pakistan.

$billions in remittances being shifted by Indian workers from KSA to Modi's coffers

That would work both ways. By helping to improve Pakistan GDP, helping the poor and on the contrary helping to remove that sniggering smile on Modi's face. Also causing a slight dip in Indian growth that Indian PDfers tout on about. And maybe cut back a few weapons purchases for the Indian Army even if it means less bullets are bought. Win win. Both ways.

Saudis cannot help.

This is not 'help' but negotiating a business deal for strategic benefit of both. The British and French did not 'help' the Polish but struck a agreement under EU to help Europe move forward.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

After this move I have started to like MBS.

I know that you are a Mullah lover (by default I don't see much eye to eye with ANY Mullah worshippers) but if it only took some Saudi Arabian ambassador in Pakistan to met your favorite politician in Pakistan (newly elected PM) for you to change your views about MbS, it is rather tragicomical, with all due respect.

I obviously don't care about whether you like MbS or not (or anyone else for that matter) but I do know that I like what I see from him and it's hard not to unless you are one of those Mullah fanatics who scream "haram" at every step when KSA is moving forward on every imaginable front for the much better while having extremely cordial ties with all powers of the world. Of course there is the "Israel nonsense" that the Mullah lot are parroting but so far I have seen nothing that would suggest this and even if it was true, I would not be against it by principle as long as the Palestinians would get their fair share of the cake which eventually will happen.




I honestly don't know anything about what Imran Khan stands for politically but based on what I have heard here on PDF him and MbS might become rather good partners. If Imran Khan is anything remotely similar to MbS (as reform driven and blunt) that is a given.

Although I like your idea... However, Saudi Arabia of today is not what it was before flushed with Petro-Dillars. In the current economy with stressed oil prices Saudis are facing fiscal constraints, budget deficits, cuts, and local unemployment.

Saudis cannot help.

You are being a bit too negative for my linking, bro.

KSA firmly remains a G-20 major economies member state. The public deficit turned out to be much lower than expected (only 9 billion USD in the first quarter) while it was expected to be 52 billion USD for all of 2018 when the budget for 2018 was published back in December 2017.

MAY 7, 2018 / 2:45 PM / 3 MONTHS AGO
Saudi Arabia's Q1 budget deficit at 34.3 bln riyals -fin ministry

Reuters Staff

1 MIN READ

DUBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit in the first quarter of 2018 stood at 34.3 billion Saudi riyals ($9.15 billion), at around 18 percent of the total forecast budget deficit for this year, the finance ministry said on Monday.

Total revenues in the first quarter reached 166.3 billion riyals, up 15 percent from the same period last year, the ministry said in a statement posted on its Website.

It said oil revenues stood at 113.9 billion riyals while non-oil revenues stood at 52.3 billion riyals, up 2 percent and 63 percent respectively from the same quarter last year. ($1 = 3.7503 riyals) (Reporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Ghaida Ghantous)

https://www.reuters.com/article/sau...-at-343-bln-riyals-fin-ministry-idUSD5N1L100P

Non-oil revenues are booming as can be seen above, the IMF's forecast for KSA's growth this year was 2% (despite relatively low oil prices, the Yemen war (largest fought in the region), enormous structural changes in KSA's economy spearheaded by MbS and his team, cramping down on corruption for all to see and the necessary exodus of expat workers which will give room for a large bunch of highly-educated (or at least well-educated) locals to enter the private sector and in particular increase the women workforce.

Foreign exchange reserves are growing at a steady rate once again. Soon to reach Switzerland on the 3rd position. Only China (can't catch a 1.3 BILLION big nation with an economy 15 times larger) and Japan are ahead.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1006792975937146880

https://twitter.com/x/status/1004399954067099648

I know that this below is the entire GCC but KSA is the largest chunk of the GCC (population wise, geographically and economically) but it will give you an idea of why I believe that your post is rather negative.

Gulf Industry Investment to Reach $1 Trillion in 2020

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1279676/gulf-industry-investment-reach-1-trillion-2020

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/gulf...each-1-trillion-in-2020.560616/#post-10581575

I would suggest IK build a good relationship with MBS. And then leverages that to Pakistan's benefit. No. No money please. But how about a KSA-Pak labour treaty - something like what Poland, Slovakia and other Eastern Euros got. Meaning their workers got preferance rights to work in EU. This way maybe aim to kick half million Indians back to Ganga slums and taken half million of our poor workers. One worker typically will support 10 family members. That is 5 million people out of poverty on one signature. Then the extra remittances will also bring in increased GDP growth and economic activity. This is sort of win win relationship Pakistan should aim for.

My friend. KSA of today is vastly different from KSA just 5 years ago. The number of expat workers in KSA (whether fellow Arabs or non-Arabs) is only going to decrease by each month. In particular the workforce that is doing manual jobs. It's not in the interests of KSA to continue hosting so many expats and contradictory to Saudi Vision 2030 and where the country is moving towards. Saudi Arabian women (that are some of the best educated women in the Muslim and developing world) make up an embarrassing percentage of the workforce in KSA for now. That's millions upon millions of natives who are sidelined. Similarly a huge number of well-educated youth (70% of KSA's population is below 30 years) is waiting to enter the job market in particular the private sector which is dominated by expats.

If KSA kicked out Indians, KSA could possibly lose a 1.3 billion big market (growing) that is poised to be the second largest economy in the world in our expected lifetime (at least mine). That would not be the wisest thing to do and I am sure that Pakistan would not do it either.

As for increasing economic ties, yes. Facilitating trade, yes. Expanding relations on relevant fronts, yes. However KSA should not and will not exclude X because X has bad relations with Y. Similarly Pakistan is not excluding having ties with Iran or trading with Iran as that would be moronic.

So have that in mind.

Just like KSA is having cordial political ties with the US (for now) while having China as our largest trade partner and a partner that we work very closely with on all fronts. Similarly with Russia and say the UK. Or India and Pakistan. Or France. Or Japan. Or South Korea. The list is long. That's how sane states should act IMO.

 

[GHALIB]

imran got special reception and treatment when he went for umrah , almost head of state welcome .

 

[BHarwana]

I know that you are a Mullah lover (by default I don't see much eye to eye with ANY Mullah worshippers) but if it only took some Saudi Arabian ambassador in Pakistan to met your favorite politician in Pakistan (newly elected PM) for you to change your views about MbS, it is rather tragicomical, with all due respect.

I obviously don't care about whether you like MbS or not (or anyone else for that matter) but I do know that I like what I see from him and it's hard not to unless you are one of those Mullah fanatics who scream "haram" at every step when KSA is moving forward on every imaginable front for the much better while having extremely cordial ties with all powers of the world. Of course there is the "Israel nonsense" that the Mullah lot are parroting but so far I have seen nothing that would suggest this and even if it was true, I would not be against it by principle as long as the Palestinians would get their fair share of the cake which eventually will happen.




I honestly don't know anything about what Imran Khan stands for politically but based on what I have heard here on PDF him and MbS might become rather good partners. If Imran Khan is anything remotely similar to MbS (as reform driven and blunt) that is a given.



You are being a bit too negative for my linking, bro.

KSA firmly remains a G-20 major economies member state. The public deficit turned out to be much lower than expected (only 9 billion USD in the first quarter) while it was expected to be 52 billion USD for all of 2018 when the budget for 2018 was published back in December 2017.

MAY 7, 2018 / 2:45 PM / 3 MONTHS AGO
Saudi Arabia's Q1 budget deficit at 34.3 bln riyals -fin ministry

Reuters Staff

1 MIN READ

DUBAI, May 7 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit in the first quarter of 2018 stood at 34.3 billion Saudi riyals ($9.15 billion), at around 18 percent of the total forecast budget deficit for this year, the finance ministry said on Monday.

Total revenues in the first quarter reached 166.3 billion riyals, up 15 percent from the same period last year, the ministry said in a statement posted on its Website.

It said oil revenues stood at 113.9 billion riyals while non-oil revenues stood at 52.3 billion riyals, up 2 percent and 63 percent respectively from the same quarter last year. ($1 = 3.7503 riyals) (Reporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Ghaida Ghantous)

https://www.reuters.com/article/sau...-at-343-bln-riyals-fin-ministry-idUSD5N1L100P

Non-oil revenues are booming as can be seen above, the IMF's forecast for KSA's growth this year was 2% (despite relatively low oil prices, the Yemen war (largest fought in the region), enormous structural changes in KSA's economy spearheaded by MbS and his team, cramping down on corruption for all to see and the necessary exodus of expat workers which will give room for a large bunch of highly-educated (or at least well-educated) locals to enter the private sector and in particular increase the women workforce.

Foreign exchange reserves are growing at a steady rate once again. Soon to reach Switzerland on the 3rd position. Only China (can't catch a 1.3 BILLION big nation with an economy 15 times larger) and Japan are ahead.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1006792975937146880

https://twitter.com/x/status/1004399954067099648

I know that this below is the entire GCC but KSA is the largest chunk of the GCC (population wise, geographically and economically) but it will give you an idea of why I believe that your post is rather negative.

Gulf Industry Investment to Reach $1 Trillion in 2020

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1279676/gulf-industry-investment-reach-1-trillion-2020

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/gulf...each-1-trillion-in-2020.560616/#post-10581575




My friend. KSA of today is vastly different from KSA just 5 years ago. The number of expat workers in KSA (whether fellow Arabs or non-Arabs) is only going to decrease by each month. In particular the workforce that is doing manual jobs. It's not in the interests of KSA to continue hosting so many expats and contradictory to Saudi Vision 2030 and where the country is moving towards. Saudi Arabian women (that are some of the best educated women in the Muslim and developing world) make up an embarrassing percentage of the workforce in KSA for now. That's millions upon millions of natives who are sidelined. Similarly a huge number of well-educated youth (70% of KSA's population is below 30 years) is waiting to enter the job market in particular the private sector which is dominated by expats.

If KSA kicked out Indians, KSA could possibly lose a 1.3 billion big market (growing) that is poised to be the second largest economy in the world in our expected lifetime (at least mine). That would not be the wisest thing to do and I am sure that Pakistan would not do it either.

As for increasing economic ties, yes. Facilitating trade, yes. Expanding relations on relevant fronts, yes. However KSA should not and will not exclude X because X has bad relations with Y. Similarly Pakistan is not excluding having ties with Iran or trading with Iran as that would be moronic.

So have that in mind.

Just like KSA is having cordial political ties with the US (for now) while having China as our largest trade partner and a partner that we work very closely with on all fronts. Similarly with Russia and say the UK. Or India and Pakistan. Or France. Or Japan. Or South Korea. The list is long. That's how sane states should act IMO.

Sorry my friend you got me wrong I am not a mullah lover and nor I am a sheikh lover. I still respect Iran more because of their stance on Palestine and the day they change that they get the worst stance from me. I always appreciate positive development. Why I said positive words about MBS is because he and we are now equal. Imran is not my favorite but best hope for my people. So you don't know me and the common Pakistanis we hold a lot of power a power to over throw any puppets of foreign govt.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

MbS might become rather good partners. If Imran Khan is anything remotely similar to MbS (as reform driven and blunt) that is a given.

I hope so. I understand what you said about India but we must pursue our interests as much as you do. I certainly hope Imran Khan build a good relationship with MBS and strikes a convergence that advances to what I said,

While I know and I am all for pragmatism but there are exceptions. USA by keeping anti Iran posture including sanctions is losing out on massive Iranian oil industry potential and market. By boycotting Israel you and Pakistan are losing out in so many ways. Proving that not everything is about $$$$$.

A Indian electrician would cost one tenth of what a Polish electrician costs. Yet the British government allowed 1,000,000 Poles to walk via EU protocols which are intended to help out fellow white, Christian Europeans. That they went for Brexit is another story but not after letting in million Poles whose only qualification was they were white, Christian and European. Had it been purel;y about $$$ Indian worker would make better sense and most speak English.

But then in our part of the world they talk about this thing called ummah when non exists. In Europe they don't talk about thier ummah. They live by it.

 

[war&peace]

There two type of "financial hard times". The rich type and poor type. KSA belongs to the former. Even this year trust me you will see $billions in remittances being shifted by Indian workers from KSA to Modi's coffers. All that could have been coming to Pakistan.

I remember, during my MS..I faced the worst financial crisis of my life...I had a budget $50 per day other than rent and bills...Later I realised..many people earn less than $50 per month in the world.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Sorry my friend you got me wrong I am not a mullah lover and nor I am a sheikh lover. I still respect Iran more because of their stance on Palestine and the day they change that they get the worst stance from me. I always appreciate positive development. Why I said positive words about MBS is because he and we are now equal. Imran is not my favorite but best hope for my people. So you don't know me and the common Pakistanis we hold a lot of power a power to over throw any puppets of foreign govt.

I don't know what they teach in Pakistan or what you have read online or been told in person but call me the next time that Iran does even 10% of what KSA has done for Palestine.

KSA fought 2 wars against Israel (USA and West combined by default). Supported all the others financially. Iran, nowhere to be found other than being the greatest Israeli lapdog in the region.

King Faisal against all odds and under enormous presure from the US and West (even direct military threats from Kissinger and the lot) kickstarted the crippling (worldwide) oil embargo. That was the work of KSA. The economic beating that the West suffered due to this is something that Iran has never done and will never do (not even capable of it).

KSA is the largest humantarian and economic supporter of Palestine, Gaza in particular, while Iran is only arming a few Hamas factions loyal to Iran that fire some firecrackers on Israel and in return Gaza gets carpet bombed and countries not named Iran are going to cover the cost.

That regime is the most disgusting regime in the region if you ask me. There is nothing more discussing that using proxies abroad and taking all the credit when all the work is done by a few brainwashed and moronic local Arab traitors who put some monkey Mullah above their own country, official institutions and well-being. I understand that you support such policies which is why we don't met eye to eye.

Everywhere where this cancerous wannabe Arab Mullah regime shows up there is calamity, divisions and problems and zero economic aid for the average people.

As for empty rhetoric and statements, KSA has not differed from Iran even once on this front.

However actions count and when Iran, as I said, does even 10% of what KSA has done historically, we can talk.

What equal? Is it now KSA's fault that the Pakistani establishment is corrupt to the core like much of the establishment in KSA remains, despite great work on this front by MbS? Corruption is endemic to the entire Muslim and developing world. Shall I blame Pakistan and the Pakistani military for corruption in KSA because they have close ties to the House of Saud and the military establishment in KSA, case in point Rachel Sharif? Is that the logic now?

Anyway I just returned (less than 1 hour ago) from a 50 km bike ride on quite challenging terrain in 30 + degrees of Celsius and I really don't bother a long discussion tonight, so I am ending it here.

I hope so. I understand what you said about India but we must pursue our interests as much as you do. I certainly hope Imran Khan build a good relationship with MBS and strikes a convergence that advances to what I said,

While I know and I am all for pragmatism but there are exceptions. USA by keeping anti Iran posture including sanctions is losing out on massive Iranian oil industry potential and market. By boycotting Israel you and Pakistan are losing out in so many ways. Proving that not everything is about $$$$$.

A Indian electrician would cost one tenth of what a Polish electrician costs. Yet the British government allowed 1,000,000 Poles to walk via EU protocols which are intended to help out fellow white, Christian Europeans. That they went for Brexit is another story but not after letting in million Poles whose only qualification was they were white, Christian and European. Had it been purel;y about $$$ Indian worker would make better sense and most speak English.

But then in our part of the world they talk about this thing called ummah when non exists. In Europe they don't talk about thier ummah. They live by it.

I guess that we need a WW1 and WW2 and 100 million casualties for that and afterwards a division into two halves (Capitalistic Europe and USSR/communist controlled Eastern Europe and Balkans) to change for the better. Anyway, I live by that. Disappointment and wasted potential. Every Arab does by large. Case in point being what could relatively easily be done within the Arab world alone by the Arab League (which predate the freaking UN) but which is not done. Or the latest GCC row with Qatar. So expecting EU like movements and deals as of 2018, when much of the region is at war or in chaos, is too optimistic and I usually tend to be overoptimistic but even I have to be cautious and take the little progress (on this front) for what it is and cautiously hope for something better. Otherwise you are just going to be disappointed. BIGLY as our friend Trump says.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Anyway I just returned (less than 1 hour ago) from a 50 km bike ride on quite challenging terrain in 30 + degrees of Celsius and I really don't bother a long discussion tonight, so I am ending it here.

That is good stuff. I bet you feel knackered but elevated. I love that feeling you get when you push your body to the limit and then some more. In fact I think I am addicted to that !

Ps. Which reminds me. I am off to the gym to do 30 minute on the stairmill.

 

[BHarwana]

I don't know what they teach in Pakistan or what you have read online or been told in person but call me the next time that Iran does even 10% of what KSA has done for Palestine.

KSA fought 2 wars against Israel (USA and West combined by default). Supported all the others financially. Iran, nowhere to be found other than being the greatest Israeli lapdog in the region.

King Faisal against all odds and under enormous presure from the US and West (even direct military threats from Kissinger and the lot) kickstarted the crippling (worldwide) oil embargo. That was the work of KSA. The economic beating that the West suffered due to this is something that Iran has never done and will never do (not even capable of it).

KSA is the largest humantarian and economic supporter of Palestine, Gaza in particular, while Iran is only arming a few Hamas factions loyal to Iran that fire some firecrackers on Israel and in return Gaza gets carpet bombed and countries not named Iran are going to cover the cost.

That regime is the most disgusting regime in the region if you ask me. There is nothing more discussing that using proxies abroad and taking all the credit when all the work is done by a few brainwashed and moronic local Arab traitors who put some monkey Mullah above their own country, official institutions and well-being. I understand that you support such policies which is why we don't met eye to eye.

Everywhere where this cancerous wannabe Arab Mullah regime shows up there is calamity, divisions and problems and zero economic aid for the average people.

As for empty rhetoric and statements, KSA has not differed from Iran even once on this front.

However actions count and when Iran, as I said, does even 10% of what KSA has done historically, we can talk.

What equal? Is it now KSA's fault that the Pakistani establishment is corrupt to the core like much of the establishment in KSA remains, despite great work on this front by MbS? Corruption is endemic to the entire Muslim and developing world. Shall I blame Pakistan and the Pakistani military for corruption in KSA because they have close ties to the House of Saud and the military establishment in KSA, case in point Rachel Sharif? Is that the logic now?

Anyway I just returned (less than 1 hour ago) from a 50 km bike ride on quite challenging terrain in 30 + degrees of Celsius and I really don't bother a long discussion tonight, so I am ending it here.



I guess that we need a WW1 and WW2 and 100 million casualties for that and afterwards a division into two halves (Capitalistic Europe and USSR/communist controlled Eastern Europe and Balkans) to change for the better. Anyway, I live by that. Disappointment and wasted potential. Every Arab does by large. Case in point being what could relatively easily be done within the Arab world alone by the Arab League (which predate the freaking UN) but which is not done. Or the latest GCC row with Qatar. So expecting EU like movements and deals as of 2018, when much of the region is at war or in chaos, is too optimistic and I usually tend to be overoptimistic but even I have to be cautious and take the little progress (on this front) for what it is and cautiously hope for something better. Otherwise you are just going to be disappointed. BIGLY as our friend Trump says.

Oh I respect King Fasil more than any Saudi monarch but currently Saudis need to get a clear stance for them selves. Pakistan future is with China and Saudi future is with USA. That is a dangerous crossroad for us. Iran is our neighbour so we will have good relations with them. We have our own priorities as well time for Saudis to give the sacrifice it is not our turn.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

That is good stuff. I bet you feel knackered but elevated. I love that feeling you get when you push your body to the limit and then some more. In fact I think I am addicted to that !

Ps. Which reminds me. I am off to the gym to do 30 minute on the stairmill.

It's the best thing after a certain other activity. Similar chemical processes occur in the brain as well.

Staying in shape and eating healthy keeps old age at bay (or at least at a greater distance) so this can't be stressed enough. I can see what staying in relatively good shape and mostly healthy eating has done to my old father (early 60's). God bless his soul.

Good luck pumping that iron!

Oh I respect King Fasil more than any Saudi monarch but currently Saudis need to get a clear stance for them selves. Pakistan future is with China and Saudi future is with USA. That is a dangerous crossroad for us. Iran is our neighbour so we will have good relations with them. We have our own priorities as well time for Saudis to give the sacrifice it is not our turn.

You are trolling again. KSA is one of the most pragmatic states on the planet and certainly in the region. Without that pragmatism a regime change would have occurred ages ago like almost everywhere else in the neighborhood.

KSA is not formally aligned to anybody. Yes, KSA has cordial ties with the US but as I just showed you there have been big bumps on the road in that relationship, as recently as under Obama, and this might occur in the future as well. As I told you KSA's ties with China are greater economically and strategically (long-term) than the ties with the US. KSA is one of the few middle-sized powers that has cordial ties with all powers.

I suggest taking a look at Arab-Sino ties. 200 billion USD worth of bilateral trade last year. A large portion of this being KSA-China trade. Take a look at China's official Arab policy paper. Unique in the sense that China does not have anything similar about any other region. Take a look at Xi Jinpings speech 2 weeks ago during the 8th Arab-Sino summit in Beijing. Take a look at Xi Jinping recent visit to UAE a few days ago and do the math.

As I said you are living in your own little world and bubble. This is not my fault but don't get shocked when your imaginary reality does not stand up to the ground realities (as I showed you with the Palestine example), which are slightly more complex than you can understand.

I also suggest studying KSA-Russia relations, especially since King Salman and MbS emerged. No need to mention more on this front, my Mullah regime supporting counterpart.

I am not dictating what you should do. That's up to your leadership. What I care most about, first and foremost, is the well-being of KSA, Iraq and the Arab world as a whole. Rest is a bonus.

Now, I got to each some delicious food.

 

[BHarwana]

It's the best thing after a certain other activity. Similar chemical processes occur in the brain as well.

Staying in shape and eating healthy keeps old age at bay (or at least at a greater distance) so this can't be stressed enough. I can see what staying in relatively good shape and mostly healthy eating has done to my old father (early 60's). God bless his soul.

Good luck pumping that iron!



You are trolling again. KSA is one of the most pragmatic states on the planet and certainly in the region. Without that pragmatism a regime change would have occurred ages ago like almost everywhere else in the neighborhood.

KSA is not aligned to anybody. As I told you KSA's ties with China are greater economically and strategically (long-term). KSA is one of the few middle-sized powers that has cordial ties with all powers.

I am not dictating what you should do. That's up to your leadership. What I care most about, first and foremost, is the well-being of KSA, Iraq and the Arab world as a whole. Rest is a bonus.

KSA has relations with all but strategic ties differ. I am not talking diplomacy but rather final stance. About Iraq it is Iraq's own decision what they want it is a democracy now.

Regarding KSA it is a good partner of Pakistan and we are doing more for KSA already than any other country in the region in its protection.

Yes it is up to govt to decide the future of relation but one thing is sure it will be a relation now on equal terms unlike Nawaz govt.

 

[RegularUnimportantGuy]

After this move I have started to like MBS.

Pakistan and saudis relations were always good regardless of whos ruling.

 

[Asian.Century]

Saudia also giving 1$ billion to stabilise Pakistan.

 

[Pakistani Aircraft]

Saudi Arabia is officially under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella. In return, Saudi Arabia should be at least mindful of Pakistan's national interests.

Pakistan shall not be dictated by an Arab monarchy.

 

[GHALIB]

Saudi Arabia is officially under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella. In return, Saudi Arabia should be at least mindful of Pakistan's national interests.

Pakistan shall not be dictated by an Arab monarchy.

whole arab region is under pakistan's nuclear umbrella , officially .