Pakistan

No choices, no options

Written

3 years ago

Mar 06, 2021 05:14 AM

Tahir Malik

After an American intelligence report stated that Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Salman was directly involved in the murder of Washington Post columnist and journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the US State Department placed restrictions and travel bans on 76 individuals belonging to the desert kingdom.

Tahir Malik

They were responsible for the murder, the State Department said.

Pakistan, however, immediately rejected the report and stood by its old ally.

Questions are being asked now, whether standing by Saudi Arabia instead of the only super power in the world, was a wise thing to do.

There are no permanent friends nor permanent enemies in the world of International Relations. Permanence is granted only to benefits. In our foreign policy, money, whether in the form of foreign aid or in the form of remittances, constitutes a very important cornerstone. Pakistan’s Achilles heel, if you will.

During the past 7 months, remittances have been rising steadily, now averaging about $2 billion monthly or more. From July last year till January, a record increase of 24.9% saw the amount reach $14.2 billion.

Approximately 60% of this amount is sent from Gulf countries, mainly Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Between July and December 2020, the country received $4 billion from the former and $3 billion from the later. A combined $1.2 billion came from the other gulf countries. One of the reason for this increase is the preference for banking channels instead of hundi. “Roshan Digital Accounts” have made it easy for the diaspora to send money back home. I am happy that in just six months, over 86000 accounts were opened and $550 million made their way over to our banks.

More than 9 million Pakistanis are settled or working abroad. If just half of them open these accounts, then a sizable amount will start pouring in, providing much needed stability to our foreign reserves.

Perhaps it is now easier for the reader to understand why Pakistan stood by Saudi Arabia. Its not just about the brotherly or friendly relations between two Islamic countries but also the much needed foreign reserves. At no cost whatsoever, will Pakistan spoil its equation with the desert kingdom. Especially not now when it is going through a particularly rough patch. Loans from fleecing international organisations such as IMF and ADB have become a given; we just cannot survive without them.

Just recently, Pakistan revived the IMF program of $6 billion, implementing harsh conditions which were a prerequisite for the loan. Foreign loans have now reached the sum of $113 billion.

Can we afford to oppose Saudi Arabia? Do we have a choice here? No. Not in such a severe financial crunch.

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Tahir Malik

Tahir Malik is a seasoned journalist and analyst at GNN

Pakistan

Deputy PM, Kashmir Affairs Minister to leave for Bishkek tomorrow

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam will also travel to Kyrgyzstan along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

Published

14 hours ago

May 19, 2024 12:05 AM

Hussnain Bhutta

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday decided to send Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam will also travel to Kyrgyzstan along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Both the ministers will depart for Bishkek tomorrow morning via a special aircraft.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will hold meetings with senior government officials in Bishkek and ensure provision of medical facilities to the injured students.

They will also review matters related to the repatriation of Pakistani students.

The Prime Minister has been monitoring the situation throughout the day today and remained in contact with the Pakistani Ambassador in Bishkek.

Despite the situation being under control, it has been decided to send this delegation to Bishkek to ensure necessary cooperation and facilitation for Pakistani students.

Pakistan

Flight carrying Pakistani students from Bishkek lands at Lahore airport

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was present at the airport to personally receive the returning students

Published

14 hours ago

May 18, 2024 11:29 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Lahore: A special flight, KA-571, carrying over 180 passengers including students who faced violence in Kyrgyzstan successfully landed at Lahore Airport on Saturday.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was present at the airport to personally receive the returning students. He was joined by the Chief Operating Officer of Lahore Airport and other senior officials.

The arrival of the students was met with relief and joy, as families and officials welcomed them back home safely.

Besides it, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif decided to send Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam will also travel to Kyrgyzstan along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Both the ministers will depart for Bishkek tomorrow morning via a special aircraft.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will hold meetings with senior government officials in Bishkek and ensure provision of medical facilities to the injured students.

They will also review matters related to the repatriation of Pakistani students.

The Prime Minister has been monitoring the situation throughout the day today and remained in contact with the Pakistani Ambassador in Bishkek.

Despite the situation being under control, it has been decided to send this delegation to Bishkek to ensure necessary cooperation and facilitation for Pakistani students.

Pakistan

President summons Senate session on May 21

The president summons the session of Upper House in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 54(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Published

13 hours ago

May 19, 2024 12:12 AM

Hussnain Bhutta

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday summoned the session of the Senate on Tuesday (May 21) at 05:00 pm.

The president summoned the session of Upper House in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 54(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, President Asif Ali Zardari visited he family home of Shaheed Major Babar Khan in Mianwali and expressed condolences to the family members of the martyr.

During the visit, the president offered Fateha for Major Babar Khan who was martyred in Zhob. He prayed to Allah Almighty to elevate the rank of the martyr in paradise and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with patience.

He also paid tribute to martyred Major Babar Khan for sacrificing his life for the sake of the country, a statement issued by the President House Press Wing said.

The president said the entire nation was proud of its martyrs and salutes them. He also appreciated Shaheed’s devotion to duty, patriotism and his services for the country.