- Saudi Arabia signed 7 agreements worth USD 20bn
- in the first phase with Pakistan
- This has come as a surprise for many
- What made Saudi Arabia make such a move?
- Although these are just MoUs still
- and unless they turn into agreements they’re nothing significant,
- yet it won’t be surprising if it happens
- because political situation in the region is changing quickly,
- whether we talk about US withdrawal from Afghanistan,
- or the reemergence of Taliban, or Kashmir situation,
- or the longstanding dispute between Iran and Saudi Arabia
- And how can we ignore China’s growing clout in the world
- At least US and the west can’t ignore it
- It seems that after India’s failure in Afghanistan and South China Sea,
- US is now pushing Saudi Arabia forward
- so that China’s influence in the region can be checked
- Experts say, a new game plan for Afghanistan is in place
- Question is, is Pakistan again going to be part of this game
- and be part of Saudi Arabia’s multinational forces in Afghanistan?
- How will that happen?
- I believe Pakistan should utilise every investment opportunity that comes
- but it must not ignore the countries in the region,
- whether it is China, Iran, Afghanistan, India or Central Asian Republics
- Pakistan’s survival, security and prosperity
- are linked with its ties with these countries