Islamabad: – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Sultan has delivered a tight slap across Pakistan’s face, by refusing to meet Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa. Pakistan media have said that the Pakistan-Saudi relations are not the same, anymore, and spoiling relations with Saudi and other Arab countries is not in Pakistan’s interest. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tried to cover-up, saying that the relations between Pakistan and Saudi are fine.
During an interview with a news channel in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan tried to explain the strained relations between Pakistan and Saudi. The Pakistan Prime Minister claimed that the relations between Pakistan and Saudi are good and Saudi is in constant in touch with Pakistan. At the same time, Imran Khan launched an attack against the Pakistan media accusing that false information is being spread, regarding the relations between the two countries. Imran Khan justified his stand, saying that he was not trying to create a divide in the Islamic countries, by allying with Iran and Turkey, the anti-Saudi Islamic countries. Saudi helped Pakistan in difficult times. Khan clarified during the interview that Pakistan’s future is with China and Pakistan will continue to be with China. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who made controversial statements against Saudi, has proceeded on a visit to China.
The Pakistan military also made a surprising claim that the Saudi visit, of the Pakistan Army chief, was not a failure. The military said that this was a planned visit of the army chief and discussions regarding military cooperation between the two countries, were held during the visit. But the Pakistan media have raised questions over the explanation. The media are criticising whether the Saudi Crown Prince’s denial to meet the Pakistan army chief, also was a part of the plan. The Pakistani journalists are asking that if the visit was for discussing the military cooperation, why isn’t any announcement coming from the Saudi side. The demand for the resignation of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, responsible for the tension with Saudi, is also gaining momentum.
Meanwhile, the closeness of Pakistan with Iran and Saudi, is believed to be one of the reasons behind the tension with Saudi. Since the last few years, Pakistan has given preference to establish economic, trade and military cooperation with Turkey. At the same time, the Pakistani leaders are appealing to the people of Pakistan to follow the culture and dogmatism like Turkey. The Pakistani disposition towards Turkey has become the reason for Saudi’s displeasure. If Pakistan hurt Saudi, Pakistani relations with the other Arab countries in the Middle East, may also get affected. The billions of dollars coming in aid, to Pakistan, may be stopped. Pakistan analysts are pointing out that Pakistan may also face the embarrassment of Pakistani citizens, employed in these countries, being asked to return to the homeland.
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