Saudi Arabia’s anti-Iran activities in Pakistan

Saudi Arabia’s anti-Iran activities in Pakistan

Euro-Asia review, while pointing towards an article of Safdar Sayal (an expert of Pakistan’s peace institute) had written in one of its reports that the real reason of Saudi Arabia’s activities in Pakistan is to fight against the increasing influence of Iran within the region. Whereas Pakistan has always tried to maintain a balance in its relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Iran have had good relations since 2001 and they became stronger during the Peoples Party government in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia was angry over such strong relations and hence, tried to change the relations in its favor after Nawaz Sharif came into power. This was the reason that Saudi Arabia gave a $1.5 billion aid to Pakistan in 2014.

Similarly, several claims were made regarding Pakistan’s support for sending arms and war machinery for terrorists in Syria over Saudi Arabia’s proposal but Islamabad had clearly rejected all such claims. In addition to this, Pakistan had also rejected the claim for sending 1,000,00 soldiers of its military to Saudi Arabia.

There are some people who try to portray that Pakistan completely supports Saudi Arabia’s policies in the region but despite all such rumors, Nawaz Sharif did not leave the politics of non-interference in Middle East’s situation and had also visited Iran.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has been facing threats to its security after attacking Yemen and thus wanted Pakistan’s support over Yemen issue but political and military officials of Pakistan decided for not sending any forces in Yemen. This step of Pakistan was perceived by Saudi Arabia as supporting Iran and thus she got angry.

Apart from the situations of Middle East and North Africa there are several other factors that affect Pakistan’s relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia. For example, the nuclear deal between Iran and six international powers will result in lessening the economic sanctions on Iran and it will help Iran to re-enter into both international and regional trade systems and thus unity and harmony will strengthen in South and Central Asia.