The historic Saudi-Pakistan relationship is setting a new standard for bilateral ties

Defence affairs - DR JAMAL AL-HARBI

The Saudi-Pakistan relationship is among the deepest and strongest in the Islamic world. Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, the two nations have been bound by religion, culture and strategic interests. 

Over more than seven decades, the partnership has gone beyond political and religious support, evolving into economic cooperation, investment, and major strategic projects. This reflects the fact that Riyadh and Islamabad are moving steadily toward broader horizons amid regional and international transformations.

In the early years of Pakistan’s establishment, Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to recognize the new state and extend political and humanitarian support that helped strengthen its foundations. In 1951, the two sides signed the Treaty of Friendship, which became the official framework for bilateral cooperation. Since then, Saudi Arabia has remained strongly present in Pakistan through cultural and urban development projects, such as the “Saudabad” project in Karachi. To this day, major cities and streets in Pakistan are named after Saudi Arabia’s kings, most notably the country’s third most populous city, Faisalabad.

The relationship has never been confined to symbolism or protocol; it has been demonstrated through practical cooperation in times of crisis. The two brotherly nations have engaged in close military collaboration to counter potential threats and enhance regional security. In return, Saudi Arabia extended vital economic support to Pakistan during difficult times. After Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998, the Kingdom supplied tens of thousands of barrels of oil daily on deferred payment terms, which were later converted into a grant. Saudi Arabia was also at the forefront of humanitarian assistance after the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 floods, reinforcing the spirit of solidarity between the two peoples.

In recent decades, the Saudi-Pakistan relationship has increasingly acquired an economic dimension. Bilateral trade has reached billions of dollars annually, with Saudi investments expanding in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. The year 2019 marked a milestone when agreements and memoranda of understanding worth $20 billion were signed, including the establishment of a major oil refinery at Gwadar Port, renewable energy projects, and plans for cooperation in petrochemicals and mining.

As part of efforts to deepen economic partnerships in line with Saudi Vision 2030, the year 2024 witnessed the signing of 27 new memoranda of understanding worth $2 billion, covering sectors such as industry, technology, agriculture, and cybersecurity. Major Saudi companies are exploring investment in the Reko Diq mine, one of the world’s largest copper and gold projects.

In the field of technology, Riyadh inaugurated the Saudi-Pakistan Tech House in Lahore with an investment of nearly $100 million. The project aims to support Pakistani startups and connect them with the Saudi market, reflecting a shared vision of building a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation.

Alongside strategic and economic cooperation, human and social ties occupy a special place in the Saudi-Pakistan bilateral landscape. More than 2.5 million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia, making up one of the world’s largest expatriate communities. Their annual remittances, valued at billions of dollars, directly support Pakistan’s economy. The Hajj and Umrah seasons also serve as recurring opportunities to renew spiritual and cultural connections between the two people.

These developments over so many decades demonstrate that Saudi-Pakistan relations have moved beyond traditional cooperation to become a model of comprehensive partnership, encompassing politics, defense, economy, technology, and humanitarian ties. In light of global changes and regional challenges, the relationship appears set to deepen and expand further, particularly as both countries’ interests converge around security, stability, and sustainable development.

- Dr. Jamal Al Harbi is a writer on international affairs and a media attaché at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.