Saudi image takes a bashing in Pakistan

Within three days of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs deportation to Jeddah, the image of Saudi Arabia has taken a severe beating among Pakistanis.

Islamabad, Sept 13 : Within three days of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's deportation to Jeddah, the image of Saudi Arabia has taken a severe beating among Pakistanis.

On Tuesday, a gamut of Pakistani political leaders stayed away from a reception party thrown by the Saudi ambassador to Islamabad, Ali Awadh Asseri, on the occasion of the Kingdom's national day.

The glittering reception at the Marriott Hotel, amidst heavy security presence, was not attended by Pakistani opposition leaders, including Benazir's Pakistan People's party (PPP).

Now, the leaders have become vocal against Riyadh with some accusing the Saudi rulers of "kidnapping" the former Prime Minister, and needling in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

"Nevertheless, whether it is Saudi Arabia or any other country, no one has a right to interfere in our internal matters. The Saudis should not have gone to that extent," said Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Sajid Meer.

The other day, political activists in Karachi were shouting slogans: "We do not want your oil," since Pakistan depends heavily on oil imports from the kingdom.

According to Pakistani Government, the country imports oil worth US dollars 2 billion from Saudi Arabia every year.

The Saudi royals, who guaranteed Sharif's exile in Jeddah, were embarrassed by the politician's return to Islamabad, seven years after he entered into an agreement with Musharraf.

The Saudi prince, who was in Islamabad around the same time, had asked Sharif to adhere to his commitment and had to suffer humiliation as 'common mortals' questioned him at a press conference. akistan has been maintaining close bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia since 1947, when it got its independence from the British colonial rule.

King Saud visited Pakistan in 1954, and the high-level visit between the two countries continued.

Saudi Arabia has been assisting Pakistan, the lone Islamic country to possess nuclear weapons, financially, and both countries have convergence of views on international forums with both being close US ally.

ANI