By S.M. Inam
In recent weeks, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in the Gulf have highlighted the enduring depth and strategic significance of its ties with two of the region’s most influential states: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Beyond ceremonial exchanges and formal diplomacy, these engagements reflect a careful cultivation of relationships anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, and a recognition of the complex geopolitical realities that define the Middle East today. They underscore the reality that for Pakistan, the Gulf is not merely a distant theatre of economic opportunity or political symbolism but a region of profound strategic consequence.
The tone of these relations was evident in a recent telephone call between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. While the exchange included customary New Year’s greetings, the conversation went far deeper than formalities. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations, reinforcing a commitment to sustained dialogue. For Pakistan, such exchanges are not symbolic; they represent continuity and assurance, especially at a time when the Middle East is undergoing rapid shifts in alliances, conflicts, and security dynamics. Prince Faisal’s assurances to strengthen cooperation served as a reminder that Islamabad and Riyadh regard each other not only as partners of convenience but as indispensable allies whose strategic interests are closely intertwined.
In parallel, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, at Sheikh Zayed Palace in Rahim Yar Khan, signaled a further deepening of Pakistan’s engagement with the Gulf. Accompanied by senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, the discussions extended beyond formal pleasantries. The agenda ranged across information technology, energy, mining, and defence, reflecting a deliberate effort to translate a longstanding fraternal relationship into a strategic and mutually beneficial economic partnership. The dialogue was a clear acknowledgment that Pakistan’s stability, resilience, and future growth are inseparable from robust engagement with its regional partners.
Perhaps most consequential in recent weeks has been the formalization of the defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Guided by Prime Minister Sharif and the Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the accord is historic in both symbolism and substance. It stipulates that an attack on one country will be considered an attack on both, sending a powerful message across the region about the indivisible nature of their security. Such an arrangement goes beyond ceremonial assurances; it institutionalizes decades of mutual support, converting longstanding friendship into a concrete framework for defence cooperation. In doing so, it strengthens regional stability and signals that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia see their security not as isolated national concerns but as collective responsibilities, intertwined and mutually reinforcing.
Equally significant is Pakistan’s engagement with the UAE. While the Prime Minister’s meetings carried the customary diplomatic weight, they were also profoundly strategic. The UAE, long a major economic partner, hosts over two million Pakistani expatriates whose remittances, labor, and entrepreneurial participation contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic stability. The discussions between the two leaders, focusing on trade, investment, energy, information technology, and defence cooperation, reflect an understanding that bilateral relations must extend beyond ceremonial goodwill into tangible economic and technological outcomes. The UAE is not only a market and a source of capital; it is a partner in shaping Pakistan’s future infrastructure, technological capabilities, and industrial development.
Historically, these relationships are underpinned not only by shared political interests but also by deep cultural and religious bonds. Pakistan’s connections with Saudi Arabia and the UAE extend into the spiritual and emotional realms, informed by centuries of shared faith, migration, and cultural exchange. Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the UAE, coupled with Riyadh’s longstanding engagement with Islamabad, has created a rare combination of emotional depth and strategic foresight. It is this duality—where diplomacy is grounded in both principle and practicality—that lends durability to the partnerships. Saudi Arabia anchors Pakistan’s security and strategic alignment, while the UAE strengthens economic resilience and regional influence. Together, these relationships form a complementary system that reinforces Pakistan’s position both at home and internationally.
Moreover, shared stances on key principled issues—from support for Palestine to advocacy for Kashmir, from counterterrorism initiatives to coordinated approaches on global challenges—have reinforced the notion that these partnerships are more than transactional. They are foundational pillars of national security, economic stability, and regional stature. In a world where geopolitical fault lines are increasingly fluid and unpredictable, Pakistan’s engagement with the Gulf provides both protection and opportunity. It demonstrates that thoughtful diplomacy, coupled with defence cooperation and economic foresight, can create a framework for long-term national resilience.
(The writer is a former government officer and a senior analyst on national and international affairs, can be reached at inam@metro-morning.com)
