Why Saudi Arabia ‘Does Not Respect’ Pakistan
Despite all the high rhetoric of brotherhood between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the fact is that the former has never had respect for the latter.
Pakistan has allowed the Saudi princes and members of ruling families of other Arab gulf states liberties that no self-respecting country would allow. This has included rights to hunt endangered bird species. Also, the Saudis were occasionally approached to resolve internal political issues including those between the army and the politicians. Some Pakistani politicians and senior army officers have resented Saudi attitudes, but Pakistan’s economic dependence on Saudi largesse leaves them no choice but to only fulminate.
This was never acknowledged. Indeed, it was always vehemently denied, but Pakistani troop detachments were stationed in Saudi Arabia for this purpose. Now all this is changing because Saudi Arabia has outgrown these needs, and under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seeking to chart a new course.
While maintaining an authoritarian political system, he is opening up Saudi society to modern trends on gender issues. These are baby steps by present global standards but are substantial if viewed from the austere Wahabbi doctrines to which the ruling family is wedded. Mohammed bin Salman has also realised that the Saudi economy needs new directions to reduce its dependence on oil. In the foreign policy sphere too, he is building new relationships and upgrading old ones such as with India.