Pakistan

Riyadh-Islamabad ties set to grow: Fatemi

Fatemi extended his felicitations to the outgoing ambassador

Naveed Miraj March 21, 2017

PM’s special assistant Tariq Fatemi. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi on Monday said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a history of brotherly relations and will continue to further cement those ties.

Speaking during a luncheon reception, hosted in honour of the outgoing Saudi envoy Abdullah Marzouk al Zahrani expressed satisfaction over the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and expressed the desire to continue working closely with the next ambassador of the Kingdom for the enhancement of these ties.

Fatemi extended his felicitations to the outgoing ambassador on the completion of a fruitful and productive assignment in Pakistan and appreciated the contribution made by him in further strengthening the existing excellent bilateral ties between the two countries.

Pak-Saudi relations: Friends with benefit

He also conveyed his best wishes to the outgoing ambassador, in his future endeavours.

Ambassador Al-Zahrani also reciprocated his sentiments and expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation extended by the government and people of Pakistan during his tenure. He expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow in the years to come.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2017.

COMMENTS (2)

Given | 7 years ago | Reply Given the ethos of the majority of Pakistan's polity, it is natural for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to have close relations. These relations will continue to grow. There is nothing wrong with Pakistan getting financial assistance from Saudi Arabia as a friend in need is a friend indeed. Other nations, which claim genuine friendship with Pakistan should also evidence their friendship by helping Pakistan in similar ways.

Basit Ali | 7 years ago | Reply While determining the parameters of our relations with Saudi Arabia, firstly, we should make sure that we do not let SA governmental or private groups to interfere in Pakistan's domestic affairs by funding/supporting sectarian political-religious extremist groups. Secondly, these relationships should not be based on considerations of promoting Wahhabism on international scale: SA govt. has long been committed to its pursuit. Thirdly, Pakistan should not be tethered to SA policy of subservience to US or European powers: another long-term goal to which the ruling elite in SA is committed to (example Syria and Yemen). Fourthly, these should not be directed against Iran: Pakistan should be promoting, in earnest, good relations with Iran not like the 'fake' relations we currently have with this more important country due to SA/USA influence among ruling circles of this country.Fifthly, we should be not seek SA money as our main purpose in pursuing relationship with SA: this makes us weak.

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