Pakistan loses a genuine friend

ISLAMABAD: The passing away of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz alSaud will be mourned throughout the Muslim Ummah. In Pakistan, his loss will be felt even greater for he was a steadfast friend and well-wisher of Pakistan and its people. For Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and its ruler has a special place for being the guardians of the holiest places of Islam.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share the closest relations. This cordial and mutually beneficial relationship is deep rooted in common faith and broad-based mutuality of interest. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share the closest relations and it is a strategic ally on which Pakistan relies heavily. It is equally true that Riyadh has similar strong feelings for Islamabad.

Saudi support to Pakistan, whether in the field of diplomacy or financial assistance, has always been generous and readily forthcoming. It was during the rule of King Abdullah that Riyadh and Islamabad experienced an expansion of their security ties that further reinforced the strong bonds and trust that has been the hallmark of our relationship. The deep rooted and multifaceted relationship was given a new direction and impetus during his reign. King Abdullah was a steadfast and genuine friend of Pakistan whose piety and wisdom was a source of strategic strength for Pakistan. It has been a loss of a friend, guide and a benevolent Muslim leader.

Abdullah was a king gifted with leadership attributes that during tumultuous times steered his country and ensured its stability. He believed in evolutionary changes in the political and social structure of the kingdom. For the first time he added women to the Shura Council, with some restricted powers and introduced new laws that eased restrictions on women driving cars. He navigated these openings despite the opposition from highly conservative clerics.

He was highly astute in maintaining good relations with the West and especially with the US. At the same time he knew that any tilt toward the US had to be balanced by appeasing opinion at home and keeping the clergy on the right side. He was a great supporter of Pan-Arab solidarity and that of the Muslim Ummah. King Abdullah united forces against terrorism and was a bastion of stability. He made an honest attempt to resolve the intractable Palestinian Israeli conflict. He was convinced that a major contributory factor to radicalism in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East, was the injustice to the people of Palestine. But due to Israel’s intransigence his proposal did not succeed.

It is, however, reassuring that his 79-year-old half-brother Salman who has vast administrative experience and commands great respect has taken over as the new king. With his solid background he is well equipped to counter the forces that have emerged in the Middle East countries due to the emergence of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and militants in Yemen. King Salman is equally a steadfast friend and supporter of Pakistan. We in Pakistan wish the new Saudi monarch all the success and hope that he will continue to work for the solidarity and progress of the Ummah.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2015.