Pakistan’s Efforts to Mend Fences with Saudi-Led Bloc Bear Fruit

Nikkei

22 February 2021

Pakistan has suddenly found itself in stronger standing with a Saudi-led bloc of Arab nations, having managed to mend a rift while maintaining ties to another alliance that is challenging the Saudis’ leadership of the Muslim world. The most recent sign of this rapprochement came last week when Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi visited Egypt to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, his counterpart Sameh Shoukry and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the organisation’s headquarters. Experts believe these discussions were a continuation of Pakistan’s wider efforts to mend ties with the Saudi bloc that frayed in August when Qureshi issued a statement against the Saudi kingdom. Dr. James M. Dorsey, a Senior Researcher at the RSIS in Singapore, told Nikkei Asia that several factors are at play, including the Pakistani Shiite population, doubts over US engagement in the region. and Saudi Arabia’s desire to recognise Israel.

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Last updated on 06/05/2021