A Critical Analysis of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Relations

When states interact, there is always two-way traffic. Going through some ground facts before jumping to conclusions is a means that we as Pakistanis do not usually pursue. Acquainting ourselves with ground realities is more important than jumping on bandwagons.

In Pakistan, there exists a mentality of taking things out of context. Moreover, we enjoy making a mockery of ourselves while presenting half baked analysis. It is pertinent to remember that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are not two different cases when it comes down to statecraft, IR and prevailing geopolitical scenarios.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Defence Servicemen

It was never and will never be one-way traffic. An incorrect observation made by some of our analysts. Political point-scoring is on the rise by many. Similarly, imagine if Pakistan’s defence shield is no more in KSA – What will happen? However, before we discuss that, there are some preliminary issues that we must first delve into.

Pakistan’s defence shield comprises of servicemen (figures not confirmed) serving in Saudi Military. Furthermore, they are deployed on all fronts of external/internal threats. Out of them, as per a senate briefing, 1,671 were serving officers of Pak Armed forces.

Pakistan Army

Meanwhile, General (R) Raheel Sharif is leading an alliance we all are aware of. It is one of KSA\’s biggest military investments. In an attempt to safeguard its interests in the name of fighting against terrorism.

Additionally, KSA is the largest importer of Pakistan’s defence products. Pakistan secured an 81M $ contract in 2018 from KSA only.

Similarly, there are a number of other contracts and protocols in place. The most famous of which is the protocol of 1982. There are other bilateral agreements as well. Through which KSA “exports” military personals, advisers and defence equipment to Pakistan.

China’s Involvement

Moreover, let us connect the aforementioned with Pakistan’s strategic partner – China. BRI\’s flagship project is CPEC. Interestingly enough, KSA is going to host a mega event “Arab- China Summit“. Which is the background of Chinese investment in KSA through BRI.

Likewise, out of China’s top 15 oil providers, the first nine belong to the middle east. Where KSA tops the list in all of them. With a 40.1B US $ export of oil to China (This is a 2019 figure). This was 16.8% of total imports of oil into China.

Food for Thought

Now consider this, states don’t just make rash decisions. They analyze, see the fault lines and play around it. KSA’s total defence mechanism’s 80% is directed towards the threats originating from Iran or Turkey and their proxies. There is no denying this fact.

However, the protocols signed with Pakistan are mainly to avert and defend KSA from these threats. Along with threats originating from Israel-Jordanian-Saudi Border. Pakistan’s troops remain a part of Combat brigade on this side of the Kingdom as well.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Ties and the Demon of Terrorism

The immediate threat that KSA fears may resurface is the internal implosion due to a weakening economy in the wake of a decline in oil prices and Covid-19. However, there is a hard learnt lesson from history which haunts KSA. We faced that demon in Pak as well. The demon of Terrorism.

Well before 911, when OBL launched World Islamic Front aka Al Qaida, he criticized KSA for bringing down the US boots on grounds. He criticized Royals of KSA & asked them to drive the Jews and Christians out of Arabian Peninsula.

The Spread of Terrorism

This resulted in a call for war veterans from the Afghan Jihad era. Those who were inspired by the ideology of WIF. The literature of Ikhwan (which was prevalent in WIF or AQ) and its offshoots served the purpose for these elements (See the Shur’a council name of WIF)

Similarly, then we saw a rise in the attacks inside KSA, bombings and Suicide attacks both. Target killings included. The most prominent one was the Khobar Tower Bombings – Post 911, we in Pakistan witnessed and experienced it on another level altogether.

Ideological Terrorism

These WIF or commonly known as Al Qaida elements were heavily inspired by the literature and ideology of Ikhwan’s offshoots – A political ideology turned violent regime, which wreaked havoc in Egypt, Algeria, Sudan and later on in KSA and in the end in Pakistan.

KSA certainly won’t want these elements to rise again and that too at its weakest point in recent history. If Pakistan defence mechanism & advisory may be pulled out, who among the Muslim countries will be able to replace Pakistani servicemen & experience?

Also, what impact will it have on Saudis and Chinese relations? When the Chinese flagship project is associated with Pak? KSA vs Ikhwans’s ideology and its offshoots in the form of Iran, Turks and their proxies is a fault line and fear of Saudis which was exploited earlier by the US.

Conclusion

Therefore, I hope I won’t be bragging when I state this: Turks and Iranians are very much aware of this fault-line and the only thing standing between an onslaught from outside and implosion from inside of KSA is defence mechanism advised and placed by Pakistan.

What if this defence shield becomes indifferent to the Middle Eastern theatre? (which is of course not in favour of any stakeholder) and the Saudis very well know how to keep Pakistan on their side, at least for now.

If anyone has any ambiguity about this pls read the article published by Arab News, authored by former KSA Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Ali Awadh Al Asseri. You will get a true picture.

Hence, before mocking Pakistan one should always get hold of some background before jumping the gun.

Salman Javed

Salman Javed, Director at South Asia Times, is a strategic communication leader with a background in public policy, defense, and peace promotion. He can be reached on X, formerly Twitter at @@M_EssJay

South Asia Times

A Critical Analysis of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Relations

A Critical Analysis of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Relations