The recent visit by the Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad Bin Salman (MBS), has been debated a lot. While many have welcomed the investments in the economy, there has been critique as well. The welcoming comments highlight how investments expand to several sectors including a preferential trade agreement (PTA) to promote bilateral trade and investment, and the signing of multiple agreements in the water and power sectors.
The critique, on the other hand, highlights the treatment which the Saudi Crown Prince received.
Many also believe that Pakistan went out of its way to accommodate the Crown Prince and his entourage. They believe that Pakistan should realize that such mega investments come with a cost. We have witnessed the result of Saudi influence in the region and they want the government to be mindful of it despite the need for investment in the economy. At the same time, they also believe that the presence of opposition parties was necessary at the meeting because the government does not only comprise of the ruling party.
Another foreign development during this time was the attack in India.
“On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in the Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The attack resulted in the death of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and the attacker.”
There was a lot of hoopla around how Pakistan was behind the attack. This narrative was projected during the ongoing visit.
With these varying opinions and developments, we decided to create a poll on the recent visit.
cover image via dawn.com