Despite dispute with Riyadh over Kashmir, Saudi-Pakistan ties remain strong
Security and economic bonds mean that Islamabad’s recent disputes with Riyadh are unlikely to impact overall bilateral ties.
Pakistan's army chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa arrived in Saudi Arabia Monday for talks with the royal leadership. Although it was described as primarily a previously planned military meeting, it may have provided a good opportunity for removing any misunderstandings amid media conjecture that Riyadh may have been irked by recent criticism from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Saudi envoy to Pakistan, Adm. Nawaf Saeed Al-Malkiy, visited the army chief last week to discuss regional security and bilateral defense ties, suggesting that ties had already been smoothed.
On Aug. 5, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed frustration with the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) for its lackluster response to reported rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir, as the organization has not yet met to discuss the dispute. Speaking on an Urdu talk show, he hinted that alternatives to the OIC would have to be found. As Saudi Arabia has a prominent role in the OIC, the general perception is that the foreign minister's remarks could have offended the government in Riyadh.
As Qureshi’s outburst coincided with reports that Islamabad had prematurely repaid a $1 billion loan to Riyadh, the matters could be linked. Islamabad has apparently requested that Riyadh renew the $3.2 billion deferred payment facility for oil supplies after a one-year agreement between both countries expired in May this year.
