Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan returned home this week from Saudi Arabia with a pledge of $6 billion in loans. Khan was likely able to secure the deal with fewer strings than a previous rejected offer, due to enormous international scrutiny on the kingdom in the wake of the Jamal Khashoggi murder. But the latest package may require a deepening military partnership with Saudi Arabia.
Khan headlined on day one of the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on October 23, even as many western officials withdrew.
The kingdom’s generosity comes at a critical time for Pakistan, which is facing a fiscal crisis and last month saw $300 million in US military aid suspended by the Trump administration.
“Trump’s decision has stripped the military of resources, forget about the rest of the country,” Pakistani military scientist Ayesha Siddiqa told Asia Times.
On Khan’s return to Pakistan, he stated in a televised address that Pakistan will help end the conflict in Yemen.
“We are trying our best to act as a mediator to resolve the Yemen crisis,” Khan said. Observers have interpreted this statement by Khan as being linked to the terms surrounding the loans, as there were no other significant points mentioned by the PM regarding his visit.
Riyadh in 2015 launched a coalition to fight the Houthi rebels in Yemen and sought military support from Islamabad, but Pakistan’s parliament voted against joining the war.
Saudi Arabia just two weeks ago offered loans to ease Pakistan’s financial woes, but Islamabad refused. “There were too many conditions attached,” said Minister of Information Fawad Chaudry.
When asked what led to Pakistan shifting its position to accept the Saudi loans, Chaudry said: “ There is a change in politics. Obviously Saudi Arabia needs some support. I think the situation has changed now.”
With Saudi Arabia’s reputation under pressure, Pakistan was likely able to negotiate more acceptable terms, but those have not yet been disclosed.
“The terms could not be elaborated due to the fact that it is not in the interest of the mediation currently taking place,” Chaudry told Asia Times.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would likely present its findings on the terms surrounding the deal next month.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment on the terms.
“They need to bring this to the parliament to tell us what conditions are attached by the Saudis and what they expect from Pakistan in return,” said Miftah Ismail, Pakistan’s former federal finance minister.
“There was no discussion, therefore. Until we understand what transpired at the conference it is hard for us to really know if this is a good decision or not,” said Ismail.
Yemen, Balochistan in focus
According to a diplomat close to discussions in Saudi Arabia, this loan is not only a commercial deal, but the kingdom is also interested in Balochistan.
Balochistan is of strategic interest to both Iran and Saudi Arabia, bordering the Islamic Republic and located north of the Arabian Sea.
Saudi Arabia has faced allegations of backing anti-Shiite jihadist groups in Balochistan, namely Jundullah and Jaish al-Adl, and a heightened influence could be dangerous for Pakistan’s security.
“If you increase investment, it is not just money that pours in. With the money comes influence,” analyst Siddiqa said.
“It’s hard to imagine a $6 billion gift with no strings attached,” said Michael Kugelman, a scholar on Southeast Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.
“There’s a very good chance Saudi Arabia placed some type of conditions on this support. Riyadh may have made it quite clear that Pakistan will need to rein in its recent efforts to position itself as a neutral actor in the Saudi-Iranian regional rivalry,” Kugelman said.
“Pakistan has an Iran problem and a Saudi problem. [The Pakistani military] is allowing the Saudis to build up their capacity in Balochistan, which is in effect a certain kind of encirclement around Iran,” said Siddiqa.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained a defense partnership since 1983, though it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact number of Pakistani personnel in the kingdom. According to Kamal Alam of the London-based think tank RUSI, there are at least 1,200 Pakistani trainers in various Saudi security and military sectors.
A source close to the Pakistani military said the number is far higher, however. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he told Asia Times there are upwards of 7,000 Pakistani military personnel in the kingdom.
“One of the big questions coming out of this new deal is whether Riyadh has now asked Islamabad to operationalize that military presence and be willing to join Saudi military efforts in Yemen,” Kugelman said.
“Islamabad has long resisted this ask from Saudi Arabia, but with this financial assistance Islamabad is now getting, Riyadh has more leverage,” he added.
According to a political source briefed on the matter but who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject, the Pakistani armed forces have been under mounting pressure from the Saudis to join the conflict in Yemen.
The Saudi-led intervention has never been more controversial, with Yemen facing what the United Nations last week said could become the worst famine in living memory.
Upon his return from Saudi Arabia, Khan said: “My fellow Pakistanis, today I am here with good news for all of you. We were facing really hard times. We were under high pressure to pay heavy debts. But thanks to Saudi Arabia’s extension of assistance, we are out of this pressure.”
The coming months will reveal if Pakistan is prepared for the reasons behind the kingdom’s generosity and whether the country can continue to deflect military requests in Yemen.
Mujtaba Leghari mian akal ke saath tameez bhi bech di kya?
Mujtaba Leghari mian akal ke saath tameez bhi bech di kya?
Muhammad Fayyaz happy toread this. Just practice what you preach.
Muhammad Fayyaz happy toread this. Just practice what you preach.
Ahson Aftab why do you guys hate India so much ?
Ahson Aftab why do you guys hate India so much ?
Ahson Aftab reveals your earped thinking. This is whst landed you in deep shit thst you find yourself in today. It’s not as if we have a paradise next doors and all id hunky sort there in the neighbourhood
Rohit Pandeya , I very much practice what I suggest for others. My religion teaches me to respect the other’s faith. But, somentimes it becomes compulsion to retaliate to those who propagate religious hatred. And I suggest the same for you as well, simply to make this world a better place for the human beings.
Rohit Pandeya , I very much practice what I suggest for others. My religion teaches me to respect the other’s faith. But, somentimes it becomes compulsion to retaliate to those who propagate religious hatred. And I suggest the same for you as well, simply to make this world a better place for the human beings.
Ahson Aftab your comments abiut india reveal your warped thinking.i think you are just literate not educated.in the end just a madarssa graduate with inbred hatred and religious bigotry simmering under a "civilised" facade.
Ahson Aftab your comments abiut india reveal your warped thinking.i think you are just literate not educated.in the end just a madarssa graduate with inbred hatred and religious bigotry simmering under a "civilised" facade.
Mujtaba Leghari , bro, let no one’s faith be attacked in any case, this is not the way we have been taught by our Holy Prophet S.A.W.
Mujtaba Leghari , bro, let no one’s faith be attacked in any case, this is not the way we have been taught by our Holy Prophet S.A.W.
Muhammad Fayyaz I don’t follow any religion.all religions are man made and have an inherent bias of my God being strongest.I am spiritual to respect all religions but don’t believe in any .
Muhammad Fayyaz I don’t follow any religion.all religions are man made and have an inherent bias of my God being strongest.I am spiritual to respect all religions but don’t believe in any .
Rohit Pandeya , the reason is so very simple, because India hates us. It takes two to make a quarrel. With one hand you can’t clap.
Rohit Pandeya , the reason is so very simple, because India hates us. It takes two to make a quarrel. With one hand you can’t clap.
For me serving humanity is the biggest religion.
For me serving humanity is the biggest religion.
Muhammad Fayyaz I used to be a hockey player.when we were kids we used to follow Hassan sardar, samiullah and salahuddin besides our Indian team.there used to be events where we said chalo India nahi toh kya pakistan hai tournament mein. That feeling is gone ….I belong to a fauji family…third generation.
Muhammad Fayyaz I used to be a hockey player.when we were kids we used to follow Hassan sardar, samiullah and salahuddin besides our Indian team.there used to be events where we said chalo India nahi toh kya pakistan hai tournament mein. That feeling is gone ….I belong to a fauji family…third generation.
Rohit Pandeya, I am also a cricketer and and unlike you I admire the Indian bating even today, I am a real fan of Kohli and Tedendulker was one of the sources of great inspiration for us. But see who brought politics to cricket, Which is adored by the masses on both sides of the border? Who disregards the wishes of cricket fans by politicizing it? The theory is very simple dear, as you sow shall you reap, we are a nation which any one can conquer with love but when some one tries to show us eyes we pull out his eyes, this is what our nature is all about.
Rohit Pandeya, I am also a cricketer and and unlike you I admire the Indian bating even today, I am a real fan of Kohli and Tedendulker was one of the sources of great inspiration for us. But see who brought politics to cricket, Which is adored by the masses on both sides of the border? Who disregards the wishes of cricket fans by politicizing it? The theory is very simple dear, as you sow shall you reap, we are a nation which any one can conquer with love but when some one tries to show us eyes we pull out his eyes, this is what our nature is all about.
Rohit Pandeya , as you sow , so shall you reap.
Rohit Pandeya , as you sow , so shall you reap.
Mujtaba Leghari tu to kiski aulad hai
Attif Hussain Saab, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have a relationship – that between master and servant.
Attif Hussain Saab, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have a relationship – that between master and servant.
Mujtaba Leghari Porkies have already in abyss and default is looming large. That’s why the reason, Imran already declared that porkies would never fight another’s imposed wars anymore.
Mujtaba Leghari Porkies have already in abyss and default is looming large. That’s why the reason, Imran already declared that porkies would never fight another’s imposed wars anymore.
Muhammad Fayyaz you have been showing eyes to us for so long and look what it got you in return..You started four wars that we ended for you. In the process you lost half your country but still your generals are not prepared to stop their mischief. Even your PM keeps coming out with statements that are inflammatory. T aali dono haath se bajti hai….
Muhammad Fayyaz you have been showing eyes to us for so long and look what it got you in return..You started four wars that we ended for you. In the process you lost half your country but still your generals are not prepared to stop their mischief. Even your PM keeps coming out with statements that are inflammatory. T aali dono haath se bajti hai….
Attif Hussain I could answer you much better but I don’t want to stoop to your level.it just shows immaturity and poor upbringing on your part . Go get a life and some tameez if you can.the world knows how the Saudi’s treat you. You don’t have to explain the relationship equation between you and Saudi arabia.
Attif Hussain I could answer you much better but I don’t want to stoop to your level.it just shows immaturity and poor upbringing on your part . Go get a life and some tameez if you can.the world knows how the Saudi’s treat you. You don’t have to explain the relationship equation between you and Saudi arabia.
HUssain di behn di fudi vich suvar da lun. Ammi da bhosda pakistaniyo di..
HUssain di behn di fudi vich suvar da lun. Ammi da bhosda pakistaniyo di..
Rohit Pandeya , have you ever watched a Pakistani T.V talk show displaying a banner in the back ground , that reads, " attack India ". But I have watched dozens of such shows on Indian media, displaying, " attack Pakistan" and your lowly anchors dance while putting pressure and openly suggesting Indian government to invade Pakistan. It makes the things very clear that who is drunk and showing eyes. Well, we always welcome such a biligerent attitude, because you also know it’s not the Pakistan of 1971, it’s 2019 and since then a lot of water has gone past under the bridge.
Rohit Pandeya , have you ever watched a Pakistani T.V talk show displaying a banner in the back ground , that reads, " attack India ". But I have watched dozens of such shows on Indian media, displaying, " attack Pakistan" and your lowly anchors dance while putting pressure and openly suggesting Indian government to invade Pakistan. It makes the things very clear that who is drunk and showing eyes. Well, we always welcome such a biligerent attitude, because you also know it’s not the Pakistan of 1971, it’s 2019 and since then a lot of water has gone past under the bridge.