RIYADH, 14 August 2004 — Pakistan, one of the biggest Muslim states in the world, emerged as an independent country on Aug. 14, 1947 after a long struggle for independence.
Fifty-seven years ago this day saw the culmination of an epic democratic struggle, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in independence for tens of millions of Muslims of the subcontinent,” Pakistan’s Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza said in an interview with Arab News.
The founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was well-known as Quaid-e-Azam was reported to have said “Musalmans are a nation, according to any definition of a nation, they must have their homeland, their territory and their state,” and had further stressed “we wish to live in peace and harmony with our neighbors as free and independent people.”
Pakistan’s relations with other countries are based on the principles so aptly outlined by the Quaid-e-Azam in his speech. “These are based on peaceful co-existence in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” the envoy said.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and the present Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain have visited the Kingdom. Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, also paid a visit to Pakistan. These high-level visits have further strengthened the bilateral relations.
During his recent visit Prime Minister Shujaat Hussain also met with Interior Minister Prince Naif and discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interests. The Pakistani prime minister appreciated the Kingdom’s role in fighting terrorism and pledged his country’s full support in the fight. Shujaat briefed Naif on the anti-terrorism drive in Wana, South Waziristan, and steps taken to dismantle terror groups. They also discussed bilateral issues, including security cooperation.
Pakistan exports to the Kingdom have increased three fold during the past two years totaling $500 million. The exports include textile, cotton yarn, leather products, sports goods, medical equipment, electrical appliances, rice and spices. The bilateral trade is in favor of the Kingdom which exports oil and petrochemical products to the tune of $1.9 billion.
There are some eight joint ventures between Pakistan and the Kingdom. Last month, the Saudi-Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company (Pvt) Limited approved SR79 million to finance 25 companies in manufacturing, financial, chemical, construction, communication, textile and energy sectors in Pakistan. The projects financed by Saudi-Pak will generate new employment opportunities and add value to the gross domestic product. It will also expand the existing production facilities and creation of additional capacities.
Saudi-Pak is a joint venture of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan with a paid up capital of SR133 million held in equal proportion by the governments of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Since its inception Saudi-Pak has provided financing facilities of SR1.4 billion which includes direct equity investment of SR157 million and term financing of SR1.3 billion. In addition, the underwriting of public issue of shares and guarantees have also been provided for a total amount of SR165 million.
The one million Pakistani expatriates who live in the Kingdom have contributed to the strengthening of ties between the two countries. They come from all walks of life — from professionals to wage earners who have gained the confidence and respect of the people of Saudi Arabia by their devotion and hard work.
Some 2,000 Pakistani doctors are working in the Kingdom. Around 600 doctors have been recruited from Pakistan during the past two years. The Pakistan Doctors Group (PDG) has launched a Social Welfare Fund to assist deserving parents who cannot afford the tuition fees for their children. So far, the group has helped a good number of parents on recommendations made by the Pakistani International School in Riyadh.
In April this year, Ambassador Mirza was awarded “The Chevalier of the Legion of Honor” by the French government, for his outstanding contribution toward the construction of submarine under a Pak-French joint venture program when he was the commander of Pakistan Navy prior to his posting here. Under the program, Pakistan launched its submarine “Agosta 90 B” on Dec. 12 last year. The honor was conferred on the envoy by French Ambassador Bernard Polleti at a special reception held at the French mission here.
