At a time when Pakistan is facing major economic and diplomatic challenges, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a reliable partner.
From making major investments in the country’s mineral and energy sectors to offering diplomatic support, the Kingdom has solidified its ties with Islamabad. However, as the relationship between the two countries deepens, Pakistan’s complicated domestic political environment and surging propaganda campaigns over Saudi investments threaten to undermine the relationship.
The growing Saudi investments in Pakistan underscore a new commitment to their traditional alliance. Saudi Arabia has announced it will invest $540 million in the Riko Diq mining project. The mine, which is still undeveloped, is one of the largest gold and copper mines in the world. The investment in the Riko Diq mine, where Canada’s Barrick Gold is a major stakeholder, offers reassurance to other multinational companies that investment in the country is worth considering, particularly even in restive Baluchistan’s mineral sector.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s Aramco has been in discussions with Pakistani authorities to invest $10 billion to develop an oil refinery in Baluchistan. Last week, the Kingdom announced a funding of $500 million to help Pakistan in polio eradication. The development comes as the United States under newly elected President Donald Trump has announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and shut down a number of USAID health projects in Pakistan.
Furthermore, Saudi firms are also looking to invest in energy and solar projects in Pakistan.
Arguably, this recent expansion of Saudi funding into Pakistan’s energy and mineral sectors is partially linked to Riyadh’s commitment to diversify its global investment base as part of the country’s Vision 2030. As part of this strategy, Saudi Arabia is shifting away from only providing loans, grants, and subsidies to countries like Pakistan to focus on investments that can contribute to its own economy.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has offered Pakistan a lot of support over the years on the diplomatic front at regional and international forums. Riyadh has been Pakistan’s go-to option whenever the country has needed to lobby in Western capitals, including Washington, to protect its interests.
While these developments are encouraging, a wave of propaganda against Saudi investments in Baluchistan has emerged in recent weeks on social media platforms. The campaigns claim that Riyadh’s investments are undermining the local communities’ financial and environmental interests, and should be opposed.
This propaganda campaign, irrespective of its merits, has drawn a lot of attention from the government and security institutions. Security sources in Pakistan point to hostile regional actors, often referred to as “anti-Pakistan elements” as likely instigators. “Their goal is to undermine the Pakistan-Saudi partnership and dent the development in Baluchistan,” a Pakistani security official told The Diplomat.
Moreover, Pakistan’s domestic political instability has only made it easier for actors who wish to see this partnership falter. For instance, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) leaders have often accused Saudi Arabia of supporting efforts to remove Imran Khan from the prime minister’s post in 2022. These claims have been repeated numerous times, most recently a few weeks ago. Such accusations, whether true or not, do not sit well with Saudi Arabia as they only offer ammunition to those looking to destabilize the Pakistan-Saudi relationship. Making things worse, the provincial and federal government’s inability to counter propaganda by addressing local concerns in Baluchistan has only offered more space to these campaigns.
Pakistan’s policymakers should remember that in an increasingly challenging region and amid fast-changing global political dynamics, it would be a mistake to lose Saudi financial and diplomatic support.
In addition to providing financial backing to Pakistan, the Saudi investments are seen as a vote of confidence by the international community in Pakistan’s economic and political well-being. A weakened bilateral relationship could discourage other foreign investors, aggravating Pakistan’s economic woes.
Pakistan’s policymakers should prioritize the relationship with reliable allies like Saudi Arabia as the country navigates these challenging times.