A Saudi advice

Gwadar port can act as a hub connecting Central Asia and the Middle East

A good Saudi friend has some pertinent advice for Pakistan. He has courteously underscored the need for reforming Pakistan’s manpower sector by making it skilled, and is sure that it will bring substantial dividends in the form of enhanced remittances. Former Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Ali Awadh Asseri, on a lecturing spree at premier think tanks of IPRI and ISSI, went on to dilate legislative security parameters for investors as the need of the hour. He pointed out that while Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest Sovereign Fund holders in the world, there are plenty of opportunities to tap its business largesse, provided return to the capital is ensured. The learned envoy took no qualms in saying that Riyadh is interested in the energy sector of Pakistan, and Gwadar port can act as a hub for connecting the regions of Central Asia and the Middle East.

Dr Asseri is no stranger to Pakistan. He had rubbed shoulders with the power strata in the backdrop of 9/11 developments in Islamabad, and been a benevolent ambassador advocating economic assistance. Thus, his words should not fall flat as Saudi Arabia is home to the largest diaspora, accounting to more than two million Pakistanis. This is why the envoy wholeheartedly touch-based Pakistan’s potential by flagging the chambers of commerce and industries to come up with proper homework to harness more productive cooperation. He, especially, mentioned the vibrancy of Sialkot in sports and surgical goods, and the joint opportunities for industrial ventures in Karachi and Faisalabad. The need for a Free Trade Agreement was pointed out as the present trade volume is less than $3 billion.

By terming the bilateral relationship as “unique, progressive and durable”, the envoy hoped that notwithstanding change of political guard in Pakistan, the ties will be further buoyed. That is how, of course, the premise of understanding is, as it horizons over economic, political, cultural and strategic affairs. Pakistan must put its house in order and gear up for a befitting response to shoulder the Vision 2030 of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, as both the countries cement their indispensable coexistence.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2023.

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