ISLAMABAD; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Qamar Javed Bajwa, is scheduled to visit Riyadh hopefully this weekend with main agenda of soothing of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Although Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) director general confirmed COAS visit to Riyadh in respinse to questiin of some international media, but he did not share details of the visit. COAS’s visit is happening at a time when Saudi Arabia has acted angrily over Pakistan’s public critism to its policy of giving luckworm response to Kashmir cause. Saudi-Pak ties are strains as a result of more than one reasons. Prime minister, Imran Khan, announced to join Turkey and Malaysia for a summit of those Muslim countries which wanted to find an alternative to Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC ), but later pulled back on Saudi pressure. Islamabad pulled back from Malaysia summit to exceed to Saudi pressure which might have given a sign of relief to Riyadh ,but later announcement from Islamabad that it withdrew from Malaysia summit on Saudi demand made things even worst inviting severe anger from Riyadh. The strained relationship resulted withdrawal of Saudi financial support to Pakistan. Angry Riyadh showed its displeasure over Pakistan’s policy and asked it to return its $ 1 billion of $ 3 billion financial supoort and end to $3.2 billion oil facility on deferred payment. Saudi oil facility against deferred payment for Pakistan had ended up in July 9, 2020. Although, Islamabad has requested Saudi Arabia formally for it resumption, but it’s chances seem bleak as Riyadh did not give any positive signal in the last one month. However, it will be an important point of discussion during meetings between COAS and Saudi leadership. Pakistan will seek early resumption of oil facility on deferred payment.
Pakistan always gives extraordinary significance to its relationship with Riyadh and it will not like to see any strains in it. Pakistan will like to see end to impasse with Riyadh during COAS ‘s upcoming visit. Other issues like OIC role in Kashmir dispute Afghan peace process and Pakistan’s role as a facilitator could be some important points of discussion between COAS and Saudi leadership during the visit.
