Jeddah ( Saudi Arabia) : Dr. Ali Awaz Al-Asiri, an experienced Saudi diplomat with a close eye on Pakistani politics, has said he is very ‘optimistic’ about the Pakistan’s future under the leadership of new Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Speaking on Saudi newspaper Arab News’ weekly current affairs show ‘Frankly Speaking’, Dr. Ali Awad Al Asiri also expressed the hope that the results of the 2024 elections will further strengthen the already strong relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Ali Awaz Al-Asiri was the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan from 2001 to 2009. He said that Shahbaz Sharif is a very experienced person who has been the Chief Minister of Punjab, the largest province of Pakistan. They have experience and seem to have picked a good professional team, adding to Pakistan’s woes was a series of floods in 2022. According to the World Bank’s estimates, the economic losses caused by the floods were more than 30 billion dollars.
“I think he is the best politician to lead Pakistan in the current situation because of his acceptance,” he said. When I know about them, it always leads me to repeat my hope and prayers for their success.’
He further said that ‘Hopefully Pakistan will manage its economy and deal with it by itself. I think that was the slogan during the election. ‘The IMF has provided Pakistan with 22 loans since its inception, which has avoided default and three last year from the IMF. Dr. Ali Awaz Al-Asiri said, “I think Pakistan will get help from the IMF.” It’s a credible government, a professional government, so I think it won’t be as difficult for them to make a deal with the IMF as it has been in the past without the government. They are experienced. They know what they have to do. What I see is a great progress in the selection of professional ministers. Compatibility is also very important when you seat a minister. Hopefully everything will be better going forward than today.
He said that Shahbaz Sharif needs to adopt a multi-pronged approach for economic recovery, which includes better utilization of resources, industrialization and promotion of strong international trade and investment. The turmoil followed, which began in 2022 when Imran Khan was removed from office and jailed for corruption. In 2022, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz together with Pakistan Peoples Party removed Imran Khan from the post of Prime Minister and Shahbaz Sharif.
Imran Khan and his supporters say that the people’s mandate was stolen on February 8. Candidates supporting his party got 93 seats in the National Assembly. On the question whether the elections were fair and transparent? Al-Asiri said that “I spent nine years in Pakistan and in every election, the opposition has the same slogan and it has been dishonest.” Obviously, the opposition always says something against the government. Whether it is Imran Khan or everyone else, Al-Asiri says that the fight against corruption and work for good governance is necessary to restore the confidence of the Pakistani people in their leaders and officials. This is revealed by a Gallup survey conducted last month. It was found that almost 70 percent of Pakistanis have expressed distrust in the elections, while 88 percent of the population believes that corruption is widespread in Pakistan.
Dr. Ali Awad Al-Asiri said, “I think the governance in the past was not as good and professional as it should have been.”
“Pakistani people know very well what can help the recovery of the economy. Their currency has depreciated considerably in the last three or four years. The answer (to these problems) is good governance and what we are seeing today leads me to be very optimistic.”
He further said that ‘Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have excellent relations, and these relations have been established since 1943. King Abdulaziz and his sons visited Karachi when Pakistan was flooded and helped. Relations between the two countries progress with each leadership. This is a relationship between the people and the people.
During the devastating floods of 2022, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center sent aid to the worst affected areas of Pakistan. 873 tons of aid trucks loaded with essential food items were sent to Gwadar. The former diplomat said that Saudi Arabia has never let Pakistan down in times of need. He said that “Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman visited Pakistan several times.” because they know how important Pakistan is and how important our relations are. He said that going forward Saudi-Pakistan relations can bring a lot of economic benefits to both countries. He said that ‘We have public investment. There is a fund. It can actually go to Pakistan and invest in big factories and upgrade them for more production. Now the leadership has many areas,
He We also have dynamic and effective Saudi leadership, strategy and economic strategy. I think we can help Pakistan more and it will help itself. Asked what advice he would give Shahbaz Sharif from the Saudi perspective, Al-Asiri said to investigate corruption. Try to upgrade industrial cities because they have really good materials. Attract investment from everywhere.
Al-Asiri, speaking about the long-standing rivalry between Pakistan and its neighbor India, said that he had previously written about the potential benefits of cooperation between the two countries, but now says that relations between the two countries are still There is a need to reduce the tension between the two countries because the relationship between the people of Pakistan and India
There are lines. There is a need to facilitate access and travel between Pakistan and India and to facilitate trade agreements between the two countries. It is hoped that this will lead to constructive dialogue between the two countries and lead to peace and stability in both countries. will be made
Al-Asiri said that he has no doubt that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can play an important role in mediating between Pakistan and India.
investigate corruption. Try to upgrade industrial cities because they have really good materials. Attract investment from everywhere.
Al-Asiri, speaking about the long-standing rivalry between Pakistan and its neighbor India, said that he had previously written about the potential benefits of cooperation between the two countries, but now says that relations between the two countries are still There is a need to reduce the tension between the two countries because the relationship between the people of Pakistan and India
There are lines. There is a need to facilitate access and travel between Pakistan and India and to facilitate trade agreements between the two countries. It is hoped that this will lead to constructive dialogue between the two countries and lead to peace and stability in both countries. will be made
Al-Asiri said that he has no doubt that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can play an important role in mediating between Pakistan and India.
He further said that Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have very good relations with both countries. He said that it takes time but it is possible.
