Will army chiefs be able to reduce resentment against Saudi Arabia?


According to media reports, Pakistan's Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa has arrived in Riyadh to reduce "tensions" between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.


The situation between the two countries became tense when Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi sharply criticized Saudi Arabia in a TV interview on the Kashmir issue on August 5.


Although Saudi Arabia has not formally reacted to the Pakistani foreign minister's statement, various media outlets have reported on tensions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.




Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said in a stern tone that now Pakistan itself would convene a meeting of the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) in this regard. The foreign minister's statement was seen as a challenge to Saudi Arabia's leadership in the OIC.


Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said in this interview that “Pakistan is asking you to play the role that Muslims expect from you. I know that what I am saying will cause tension but Kashmiris are being killed.


Will Saudi Arabia angrily cut off aid?

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest lenders to Pakistan. Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tried to downplay the whole issue.


"Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times and we are grateful to it," Pakistani Information Minister Shibli Faraz said in a press briefing on August 11.


Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, photo source ANADOLU AGENCY

, Photo caption

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia


In such a situation, the visit of the country's military chief Qamar Javed Bajwa will historically seek to reduce tensions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.


Although Saudi Arabia has not formally responded to the Pakistani foreign minister's statement, according to local media reports, Saudi Arabia is considering cutting off financial aid to Pakistan.


Clouds of anxiety over Pakistan

The Pakistani newspaper The Tribune wrote earlier this month that Saudi Arabia has not yet made a decision on Pakistan's request to continue the facility, which has been in place since 2018, and which will run for nine years. It was over in July.


Until now, Pakistan had the facility of late payment of قیمت 3.2 billion worth of oil in a year. Experts say the facility is usually renewed before the borrower's request.