Saudi FM due today amid efforts to reset ties

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is due to arrive here on Tuesday as part of efforts by the two sides to reset ties that were marred by differences on certain issues in recent years.

The visit of the Saudi foreign minister is a follow-up of the trip undertaken by Prime Minister Imran Khan in May, after months of apparent hiccup in their relationship.

The two countries have had divergent views on certain issues including a shift in the Arab countries' policies towards Israel as well as lack of desired support by them on the Kashmir dispute after India revoked its special status in August 2019.

The differences at some point deepened to an extent that prompted the Pakistani government to return a $3 billion loan that Saudi Arabia extended to the ruling PTI as part of its efforts to shore up the country’s depleting foreign exchange reserves.

Saudi Arabia has longstanding ties with Pakistan and often bailed out Islamabad in crucial times. Previously, it never sought the return of loans. In fact, on most occasions, it converted the loans into grants. But this time, Pakistan had to return the money ahead of schedule, marking a clear departure from the past practice.

Nevertheless, the relationship came back on track after Premier Imran undertook a visit in May where Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman himself went to the airport to receive him.
The easing of tensions apparently attributed to behind-the-scene efforts and changing regional and international dynamics in the wake of US President Joe Biden’s victory, who on one hand sought to hold the Saudi crown prince accountable for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and at the same time pushed for the revival of Iranian nuclear deal much to the dismay of Riyadh.

Besides resetting bilateral ties, one of the objectives of the Saudi foreign minister’s visit is to explore options for the visit of Saudi crown prince to Pakistan, official sources told The Express Tribune.

A Foreign Office statement said the Saudi foreign minister will be accompanied by a delegation comprising senior officials of the Saudi government.

During the visit, the two foreign ministers will exchange views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. The Saudi foreign minister will call on other dignitaries as well during the visit.

“The visit of Saudi foreign minister holds special significance in the backdrop of the recent visit of PM Imran to Saudi Arabia in May 2021. It will provide a timely opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation in line with the vision of the leadership of the two countries,” the FO statement read.

It said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support.

“The relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields and mutual collaboration on regional and international issues. Saudi Arabia is a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and has steadfastly supported the Kashmir cause. Frequent high-level visits are a key feature of the relationship that serve to further deepen and broaden the relationship in myriad dimensions.”

The visit of the Saudi foreign minister will reinforce the positive momentum in high-level exchanges and the deepening of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, the statement added.