Why did the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) postpone his visit to Pakistan?
Was it deferred due to the ongoing political situation in Pakistan? These questions emerged and are being discussed particularly after the IMF mission in the country in a statement said that economic stability is linked with political stability. The mission is also likely to meet with political leaders in Pakistan. What will be next in this regard is being awaited.
MBS was expected to arrive in Islamabad on May 19 on a two-day visit. It was reported that the Prime Minister of Pakistan was happy and canceled all his engagements personally to receive and take care of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
A day earlier this news came and Pakistan’s foreign office said that details of the visit will be made public after a schedule is worked out between Islamabad and Riyadh. This office is confident that this visit will take place soon and is valuable as the people of Pakistan are eagerly waiting for this high dignitary of the brotherly country.
Importantly, this high visit was to take place after the recent diplomatic and trade-related engagements between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the prime minister’s visit in March. Afterward, a high-level Saudi trade delegation visited Pakistan last month led by Foreign Minister of the kingdom. This visit is of dynamic importance for economically fragile Pakistan which is expecting big investments.
The Crown Prince was to Pakistan after five years. He last visited the country in February 2019 when PTI was in rule. He postponed this visit for the second time as earlier he was to visit Pakistan in 2022 but called off this visit at the 11th hour. However, canceling visits to Pakistan is nothing new as earlier the Chinese President also canceled his visit to Pakistan in 2024 when this PTI which wrote a letter to IMF was protesting on the roads. The analysts believe that the Saudi Prince deferred his visit possibly for two reasons.
It might be postponed as still file work on both sides concerning the trade agreements was not complete. The second reason could be a political confrontation in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is also closely monitoring what is going on between PTI and political parties and the military in Pakistan is also busy perusing May 9 and also is focused on security issues. The courts in Pakistan also busy in dealing with political cases and on the other hand both military and judicial establishments are not enjoying good relationship.
Similarly, PTI is busy writing letters to the IMF, international media, and even to the top courts over the ongoing judicial crises and demanding the resignation of the chief judge. All this highlights that the political atmosphere in Pakistan was not conducive. According to the analysts, Saudi Arabia might be in need of state guarantees for the safety and security to its investment in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia might also be taking the statement of the IMF seriously. The chief of the IMF mission in Pakistan is likely to meet the political leaders in Pakistan including of the opposition parties. It said that economic stability was linked with political stability. Importantly, this is what Imran Khan wrote in his letter to the IMF. However, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strong trade, defense, and cultural ties. There are nearly 2.7 million Pakistanis in the Kingdom and serves as a major source of remittances to the economy-stricken Pakistan. Hopefully, both the opposition and ruling political parties will decrease tensions going on between them for the sake of Pakistan. It was the need of the hour when Pakistan expects some major foreign investments. The improved political situation will also pave the way for other dignitaries to visit and invest in Pakistan.
(Author: Senior journalist Rana Kashif )
