While referring to the decision made by Saudi Arabia to invest billions of dollars in Pakistan, Mohsen Rouhi Sefat in an interview with the site of Strategic Council on Foreign Relations noted:” Saudi Arabia had already accorded its assistance to previous Pakistani presidents during their tenure of office, but proximities of Shabaz Sharif government to Riyadh, more than that of Imran Khan’s government, have differentiated the financial assistances in comparison with previous terms”.
Having stated that the investment is being made followed by a convulsive period between the two countries, and “atypical relations with Pakistan” as Saudi Arabia calls it, he added:” in the previous term, official and unofficial news suggested a kind of distrust overshadowed relations between the two countries. But, as Shahbaz Sharif lived in Saudi Arabia during 9 years of Nawaz Sharif’s tenure of office, he has closer relations with Riyadh”.
Role of International Developments in Proximate Relations between Saudi Arabia & Pakistan
The former Iranian diplomat called the international developments as an effective factor to bring close Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and said:” the U.S. is after preserving its leadership on international system, and what caused Imran Khan government’s fall was his efforts to establish suitable relations with the bloc opposite to the U.S. but he failed to continue the game to the end. Shahbaz Sharif is a personality in line with the world order and in favor of the U.S. global leadership”.
Rouhi Sefat touched upon the cemented and close relations between China and Russia, strengthening of the bloc opposite to the U.S., and efforts made by Europe to preserve its independence vis-à-vis the U.S., particularly during Donald Trump tenure of office, and continued:” having dragged Russia to enter into war with Ukraine, and through Russia’s mistake, the U.S. managed to direct the balance of power equation to its own benefit. Now, we are witnessing the emergence of a rigid system in which countries in between have less power to play a double game, and the U.S. intends to keep those countries in its own bloc. Having been on the U.S. side, the situation causes Saudi Arabia link Pakistan strongly to the bloc”.
Having reminded the role and authority of Pakistani army in policy makings of the country, he said:” Pakistani army seeks for a stabled relation with the U.S. and demands for concessions from the country. A part of these concessions is investments being made by Saudi Arabia in Pakistan. In fact, having aimed at preserving world order led by itself, the U.S. recommends Riyadh to expand its relations with Islamabad and thus encourage the country to remain in the U.S. bloc, and to pin less hope to the opposite side, China and Russia”.
Having touched upon the efforts made by Pakistan to set a balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the expert of international affairs continued:” the new issue which we have witnessed its impacts on Pakistan within the recent years is relations between Saudi Arabia and India. India, as the bête noire of Pakistan that plays a substantial role in the foreign policy of the country, approached Saudi Arabia during Obama era sanctions imposed on Iran to meet its oil demand. Since then, close relations between Riyadh and New Delhi made Islamabad concerned and dissatisfied. But after a few years, and in view of the U.S. emphasis on the expansion of India – Saudi Arabia relations, Pakistan has recognized the issue as a fact and knows (well) that its only option is to seek for excellent and high level relations with Saudi Arabia”.
Expansion of Saudi Arabia – Pakistan Relations in the Light of Regional Competitions
Having underscored that the expansion of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is analyzed in the light of regional relations and competitions, Rouhi Sefat spelled out:” Among the most important reasons for Imran Khan to resign, were economic problems, inflation, energy and fuel problem in Pakistan. Despite numerous promises made by Imran Khan, Pakistani economic conditions followed a declining trend and none of the promises was delivered. Therefore, Shahbaz Sharif is looking for overcoming economic problems by seeking (necessary) financial resources as soon as possible”.
He further elaborated the efforts made by Pakistan Prime Minister to take loan from the World Bank and the need of his country to win the U.S. support in this respect through reestablishment of suitable relations with Saudi Arabia, and added:” It seems that killing of “Ayman al-Zawahiri” in Kabul was made, in a way, with Pakistan’s collaboration in order to show a green light to the U.S. for better relations”.
The former Iranian diplomat referred to broad and widespread damages as well as extensive financial losses and large number of casualties caused by the recent flood in Pakistan that added another layer of problems to the country, he reminded:” Pakistan is on the threshold of election, and Shahbaz Sharif is preparing himself for the parliamentary election and forming a new government. News on Saudi Arabia’s assistance can naturally boost the number of his votes in such a circumstance”.
Having stated that Shahbaz Sharif has also exploited the state of competition between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and has approached Qatar in addition to Saudi Arabia to receive financial aids, Rouhi Sefat continued:” Qatar has also made positive promises to Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan has adopted the same policies to Saudi Arabia as to Qatar. As Pakistani military forces maintain the internal security of Saudi Arabia, it has also dispatched a large number of its forces to Qatar World Cup 2022 to participate in practicing order during the games”.
The analyst of international issues commented on the regional consequences of rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as well as Riyadh’s attempt to carry out some policies based on Islamabad accompaniment, and said:” it seems that Saudi Arabia casts a more realistic look to the developments of the region comparing to the early years of Bin Salman’s presence. He has adjusted his stances in relation to Iran and regional countries like Qatar and even in his relations with China, India and Pakistan. It shows that Bin Salman is gradually distancing himself from his earlier ineptitude and understands that the security of the region is provided only through the participation of all countries of the region, and if there is a single country excluded to be present in providing the security, then such a security will not be sustainable”.
He underscored:” strengthening of Iran’s economic relations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is important. There must not be any single country in the region who seeks for zero sum game. If there is going to be any profit for countries, it should include all countries (of the region). Security, stability and progress of the people of region in subjected to close regional cooperation, and negating solutions introduced by any player can not be sustainable”.