Thursday 10 November 2016
DAWN Archive: Saudi-Pakistan Relations
A Historical Perspective of Saudi-Pak Relations
By Anon.
The year 1940 heralded the commitment of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent. The historic visit of the then Crown Prince H.H. Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz to Karachi served as a landmark for a brotherly overture towards the political cause of the Muslim League leadership. This Saudi delegation comprised of important luminaries including H.H. King Faisal, H.H. Saad, H.H. King Fahd, H.H. Mansoor and H.H. King Abdullah. This diplomatic initiative lent a new life to the struggle of Muslim League through the Saudi's moral and humanitarian support. The Saudi humanitarian assistance of GBP10,000 in 1943 on the request of Mr. Jinnah to H.E. King Abdul Aziz set the stage for formal and brotherly relations between the Kingdom and the would-be Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The sympathetic consideration of the Saudi leadership could be well judged by the fact that in 1946, the Pakistan Movement delegation to United Nations led by Mirza Abol Hasan Ispahani faced stiff resistance from the Indian National Congress which indeed attracted friendly intervention of Prince Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz as a leader of the Saudi delegation. His Royal Highness Prince Faisal ensured to invite the Pakistan Movement delegates as a guest for the reception he hosted for the other UN delegates, providing the Pakistan Movement delegation an opportunity to muster political support for the just cause for their separate homeland.
Saudi-Pak relationship witnessed renewed warmth and vigor after Pakistan came into being in 1947. In 1952, both countries signed 'Treaty of Friendship' which laid the foundation for political, defence and economic ties. It won't be an understatement if Saudi-Pak relations are termed as historic and long lasting in the fast changing political dynamics of the world.
The first ever visit of the highest dignitary from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was by H.H. King Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz in 1954 to Karachi, then capital of Pakistan. This landmark visit of King Saud resulted into naming of 'Saudabad Town' in his name, which was established with the financial assistance of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet the housing needs of the newly arrived Muslims from the other side of divide. The naming of a major highway artery as 'Shahrah-e-Faisal', a strategic airbase in Karachi as 'Faisal Airbase', and the city of Lyallpur in Punjab as 'Faisalabad' after King Faisal indeed points towards the popularity of the Saudi diplomacy and leadership in Pakistan.
The year 1960 witnessed a new vista in Saudi-Pak bilateral relations that prompted a state visit by the then President Ayub Khan to the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This important visit of Pakistan's head of state to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was accompanied by promising economic dividends that ensured the Kingdom's doors are opened to the skilled and unskilled manpower of Pakistan which was direly needed for the infrastructure development of the fast-growing Saudi economy.
The test of the durability, stability and persistence of any bilateral diplomatic ties rests on the foundation of challenges. The Saudi-Pak relations stood test of time and were amply demonstrated through the generous support extended to Pakistan when it faced aggression in 1965. The state visit of Saudi King Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz in April 1966 further bolstered the warm relationship when he reaffirmed his support to Pakistan. This landmark visit also contributed in opening up new avenues for cooperation between the two countries. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stood by Pakistan in 1971 when Pakistan witnessed separation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The Kingdom refrained to recognize the new state of Bangladesh for a long time out of respect for the sentiments of solidarity of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which the Kingdom before the founding of Pakistan had wished the new state harmonious and homogenous existence.
The era of 70s yet again witnessed the long standing bilateral ties between the two countries. In February 1974, Bangladesh as an independent state was recognized during the 3rd Islamic Summit held in Lahore which was jointly hosted by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
The 1976 visit of H.H. King Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz touched new heights in the bilateral relations of the two countries. The foundation stone of King Faisal Mosque in Islamabad was laid and constructed with the generous support of Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The era of 80s would important place in the annals of modern history when Saudi Arabia committed all-out support for the liberation of Afghanistan illegally occupied by the then Soviet Union. The reverse of this unjustified aggression could not have been possible without the commitment of Saudi Arabia to the solidarity of Pakistan, which stood threatened by the advancing forces of the former Soviet Union.
The visit of H.E. King Abdullah to Pakistan in 2006 was a milestone in the bilateral relations. King Abdullah expressed support for the solidarity, stability and prosperity of Pakistan and emphasized on maintenance of peace in South Asia.
In 2008, Saudi Arabia joined a multilateral group that sought mobilization for stabilization of Pakistan and pledged its political and economic support for Pakistan's smooth transition to a civilian rule after elections.
H.H. King Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud's visit to Pakistan as a Crown Prince in February 2014 reaffirmed the commitment of the Saudi leadership for the continuity of the historic ties that always existed between the two brotherly states.
Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif continued these bilateral exchanges and made a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in July 2014. H.E. King Abdullah recognized the historic significance of the ties between the two countries and reassured Pakistan's leadership of the sustained Saudi support to Pakistan.
Originally published in Daily DAWN newspaper's advertisement supplement 'National Day of Saudi Arabia'; September 23, 2016.
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ReplyDelete1. Visit of Ghulam Mohammad, Governor General of Pakistan on death of King Abdul Aziz Bin Saud
2. Gift of Royal Ryce car to King Saud by Nawab of Bahawalpur (it was first Royals Ryce in Saudi Arabia).
3. It was the Pakistani army that took part in operation in Makkah to get freed the Masjid e Haram from terrorists 4.Pakistan was first to support Saudi Arabia and Kuwait when Iraq attacked and occupied Kuwait. Pakistani army was deployed in KSA to protect the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
5. Two million Pakistanis including doctors, engineers, teachers and labourers taking active part in economy of Saudi Arabia
https://bahawalpurpakistan.wordpress.com/author/talhatahir74/
ReplyDeleteOne day during his visit to London, Nawab of Bahawalpur was walking in casual dress in Bond Street. He saw a Rolls Royce showroom and went inside to inquire about the Price and Features etc of their cars.
Considering him a just another Poor Indian citizen, showroom salesmen insulted him and almost showed him the way out of the showroom. After this insult, Nawab of Bahawalpur came back to his Hotel room and asked his servants to call the showroom that Nawab of Bahawalpur city is interested in purchasing their few Cars.
nawab-sadiq-bahawalpur
After few hours King reached the Rolls Royce showroom again but with his full astonishing royal manner and in his royal costume. Until he reached the showroom there was already red carpet on the floor and all the salesmen were bent with respect. The King purchased all the six cars that they had at showroom at that time and paid full amount with delivery costs.
After reaching Pakistan, Nawab of Bahawalpur ordered municipal department to use all those six Rolls Royce cars for cleaning and transporting city’s waste. World’s number one Rolls Royce cars were being used for transportation of City’s waste, the news spread all over the world rapidly and the reputation of Rolls Royce Company was in drains.
Whenever someone used to boast in Europe or America that he owned a Rolls Royce, people used to laugh saying, “which one? The same that is used in Pakistan for carrying the waste of the City?”
Due to such reputation damages, sales of Rolls Royce dropped rapidly and revenue of company owners started falling down. Then they sent a Telegram to the Nawab of Bahawalpur for apologies and requested to stop transportation of waste in Rolls Royce cars. Not only this but they also offered Six new cars to Nawab of Bahawalpur free of cost.
When Nawab of Bahawalpur observed that Rolls Royce has learnt a lesson and they are sorry for their mistakes, He stopped using those cars for carrying wastes.
Nawab-sadiq-quaid-e-azam
After some years Nawab of Bahawalpur Gifted the one of new Rolls Royce to King Saud’s visit to Pakistan. That was first ever Rolls Royce in Saudi Arabia. One of new car was Gifted to Muhammad Ali Jinnah Quaid-e-Azam of Pakistan.