PAK ARMY CHIEF BIDS TO PLACATE SAUDI ARABIA

Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa will visit Saudi Arabia this weekend in a bid to remove misunderstandings as financial support for Islamabad hangs in the balance. Pakistan has long pressed the Saudi-led Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to convene a high-level meeting to highlight alleged Indian violations in Kashmir. But the OIC has only held low-level meetings so far.

“If you cannot convene it, then I’ll be compelled to ask Prime Minister Imran Khan to call a meeting of the Islamic countries that are ready to stand with us on the issue of Kashmir and support the oppressed Kashmiris,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said last week.

Last year, Islamabad had pulled out of a Muslim-majority countries forum at the last minute on insistence by Riyadh, which saw the gathering as an attempt to challenge its leadership of the OIC. Qureshi’s remarks have revived Riyadh’s anger.

Saudia Arabia had already made Pakistan pay back $1 billion two weeks ago, forcing it to borrow from another close ally China, and Riyadh is yet to respond to Pakistan’s request to extend the oil credit facility.

“The first year (of the oil credit facility) completed on 9th July 2020. Our request for an extension in the arrangement is under consideration with the Saudi side,” an official said.

Saudi Arabia is also asking for another $1 billion back.

backbone of the then Pakistan team and is remembered for many memorable innings.