Saudi Arabia and fellow Arab nations express congratulations to Pakistan on its Independence Day, reinforcing their diplomatic relationships.
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Pakistan's relations with the Arab Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are currently robust and multifaceted, encompassing strong trade, economic cooperation, and shared goals for regional peace and stability.
In a historical context, Pakistan was the first country to recognize the UAE upon its independence in 1971, and since then, bilateral relations have steadily expanded across numerous sectors. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been key economic partners and donors to Pakistan, supporting various developmental and investment projects.
Trade and economic growth form the backbone of current bilateral engagements. In 2024-2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth $2.8 billion, seven of which converted into agreements valued at $560 million. The UAE, Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US, has pledged $10 billion in future investments in priority sectors to stimulate Pakistan's economy.
The economic cooperation is crucial as Pakistan works to stabilize its economy amidst ongoing challenges. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are Pakistan’s two largest sources of remittances, vital for Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and economic growth. Millions of Pakistani expatriates reside in Arab Gulf countries, making them top sources of remittances to Pakistan.
Regarding regional peace, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Pakistan collaborate closely, advocating for stability in the region. The Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have recalibrated their regional policies in recent years, notably improving relations with Iran to reduce regional tensions. This shift is driven by their economic goals, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s focus on maintaining its role as a regional economic hub. Pakistan supports these initiatives, contributing to peace efforts given its strategic position in South Asia.
This year, Pakistan's Independence Day messages underscored how the May conflict has become a rallying point for Pakistan's leaders to emphasize unity, resilience, and renewed national confidence. Pakistan's civilian and military leaders marked the country's 79th Independence Day by hailing a decisive victory against India in a brief military conflict earlier this year. Pakistan claims to have downed six Indian jets during the conflict that raged between May 6 and 10. The chiefs of Pakistan's army, navy, and air force pledged to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and uphold the constitution.
The UAE's ambassador, Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi, stated that over the past year, the two nations have achieved notable milestones. The ambassador praised progress in bilateral relations between the UAE and Pakistan. The UAE's ambassador also highlighted cooperation in trade, economic growth, and regional peace. In a show of solidarity, Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up with Pakistan's national flag to mark Pakistan's 79th Independence Day.
Saudi Arabia's embassy in Islamabad extended its congratulations to Pakistan on its Independence Day, while the prime minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, congratulated Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Pakistan's Independence Day. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and other Arab countries also congratulated Pakistan on its 79th Independence Day.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE are historically deep and currently strategic, with significant cooperation in trade, investment, remittances, and regional stability. These relations are poised to grow as both sides pursue economic development and peaceful regional dynamics.
- Amidst increasing cooperation on trade, economics, and regional stability, Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with Pakistan during the recent war-and-conflicts, with the Saudi Arabian embassy in Islamabad extending congratulations on Pakistan's Independence Day.
- The news of Pakistan's 79th Independence Day celebration garnered attention in the general news, with the UAE's ambassador, Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi, acknowledging notable milestones in UAE-Pakistan relations and praising cooperation in various sectors, including art.
- As Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been focusing on maintaining strong economic partnerships, they have been keeping a close eye on regional politics, given their mutual goals for regional stability and peace, and the potential impacts of ongoing war-and-conflicts on their interests.
