I read with interest the article “Pakistan — a key GCC ally” (Jan. 15) by Abdulrahman Al-Rashed. I fully agree with the views expressed by the writer regarding Pakistan and its important role in the Muslim world. Being the only Muslim nuclear power, Pakistan can easily tip the balance in the favor of any party to a conflict.

It is true that Pakistan shares borders with Iran but historically and ideologically it is much closer to Saudi Arabia. These days many Iranian puppets in Pakistani media are urging the government to take a neutral stand in the ongoing conflicts in the region. According to them, Iran is Pakistan’s next-door neighbor and the two countries have always enjoyed good relations. They don’t realize that enjoying good relations is very different from having strategic ties with any country. Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries have always stood by Pakistan through thick and thin. Iran may be Pakistan’s neighbor but our interests are linked with the GCC countries. The GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have always come to the rescue of Pakistan in the times of difficulty. It is now payback time.