Speaking to the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website about Pakistan’s strategic interactions with the countries of the region, especially the Persian Gulf states, Mehdi Taheri said: Pakistan is one of the important players in the West and South Asia. It is the most populous Islamic country after Indonesia and the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the Islamic world. From this point of view, this country has a special place for the Arab governments of the Persian Gulf.
He added: Close military relations, economic interdependence, and diplomatic cooperation are the main characteristics of Pakistan’s relations with the Persian Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. During the past decades, Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan in economic crises and has been a supplier of oil to this country. The United Arab Emirates has also invested in Pakistan’s projects and helped the country’s economic development. Qatar also supplies Pakistan with LNG, while Oman is strategically important to the Pakistani government due to its geographical proximity. Remittances from millions of Pakistani expatriates in the Persian Gulf significantly boost Pakistan’s economy.
This expert on regional issues stated: According to the latest data of the Central Bank of Pakistan, millions of citizens of this country send about 24 billion dollars in foreign currency to Pakistan every year, which is considered very important for Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan also emphasizes maintaining balanced relations between the Persian Gulf states and Iran and supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region.
He emphasized that the Persian Gulf countries have also made significant investments in Pakistan and provided a lot of economic aid during the country’s financial crisis. In addition to the fact that Pakistan balances its relations with major powers such as the United States and China, the relationship with the Persian Gulf states is of great importance for Islamabad’s economic stability and regional diplomacy.
This regional issues expert talked about Pakistan’s strategic approach towards Saudi Arabia: Pakistan’s strategic policy towards Saudi Arabia is focused on deepening a long-term partnership in the economic, defense, and cultural fields. This relationship is strengthened by shared religious values and a solid economic connection, as about two and a half million Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia send their foreign exchange earnings to Pakistan. While Pakistan provides a skilled and young workforce required by Saudi Arabia’s growing sectors, especially ambitious projects, Saudi Arabia’s investment in sectors such as energy, mining, and infrastructure projects in Pakistan also plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economic development. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia needs Pakistan in security and military fields.
Referring to Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision, Taheri said: This vision and plan creates an opportunity for Pakistan to train its workforce and facilitate investment through alignment. Recent high-level exchanges and initiatives, such as the Pakistan Special Investment Facilitation Council, underscore Saudi Arabia’s commitment to attracting investments, which promise mutual benefits and advance both countries’ aspirations for regionalization and economic development. Therefore, Pakistan’s view of the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, is mainly from an economic and financial point of view so that it can reduce its economic problems through the aid and investments of these countries. In addition, by attracting investment from Arab countries, Pakistan minimizes the level of sensitivities of the United States towards the presence of China in this country.
This regional affairs expert clarified Saudi Arabia’s view of Pakistan: Saudi Arabia draws significant perspectives in strengthening its relations with Pakistan, especially as both countries strive to enhance economic and strategic cooperation. From this point of view, we see the movement of various delegations between the two countries throughout the year. With this perspective, Saudi Arabia has invested in multiple economic sectors of Pakistan to diversify its economy, including the 10 billion dollar plan to build a refinery and petrochemical complex in Gwadar port, which can improve Saudi Arabia’s position in regional energy logistics. At the same time, Saudi Arabia’s participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will further strengthen economic ties and leverage Pakistan’s strategic position for secure energy routes to China and beyond. Saudi support for Pakistani Hajj pilgrims, which is expected to reach 180,000 pilgrims in 2025, is also important.
The cultural attaché and head of the Iran Culture House in Pakistan said about the cultural and political proximity of the two countries: The presence of the holy places of Mecca and Medina has made Saudi Arabia important in Pakistan, and millions of Pakistani pilgrims travel to this country every year. Pakistan is the only country that was formed based on Islam, and from this point of view, relations with Islamic countries, especially Saudi Arabia, are a priority for this country. The majority of the country’s Sunnis, who make up about 80% of Pakistan’s population, have particular respect for the religious leaders of Saudi Arabia.
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