According to IRAF News Agency, former Pakistani military officer Adil Raja claims that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir intended to travel to Riyadh for political and economic consultations. However, the Saudi Crown Prince reportedly showed no willingness to meet him.
Raja further stated that, in addition to the army chief, several other Pakistani officials had hoped to hold meetings with Mohammed bin Salman during this visit. The Saudi court, however, reportedly rejected all requests and made no arrangements to receive Pakistani officials.
This behavior by Saudi Arabia is considered unusual given the historically close ties between the two countries.
Asim Munir’s Closer Ties with Abu Dhabi and Riyadh’s Sensitivity
Alongside these developments, some regional analysts believe that Asim Munir’s growing closeness to Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates, is a key reason for Riyadh’s apparent coolness toward Islamabad.
Reports indicate that the Pakistani army chief has established both personal and political relations with Abu Dhabi, even referring to Mohammed bin Zayed as his “trusted leader” in unofficial settings.
In the competitive environment between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, this connection could be a sensitive factor and likely influenced the recent decision by the Saudi crown prince.
Domestic Crises in Pakistan and Waning Regional Confidence
In recent months, Pakistan has faced a series of political, economic, and security crises. The country’s economy remains fragile, foreign debt has reached its highest level, political disputes have intensified, and public protests continue across several cities.
Additionally, allegations of human rights violations and the suppression of dissent have further damaged Islamabad’s international credibility.
These circumstances have reportedly made regional partners more cautious in their dealings with Pakistan’s political and military leadership.
Relations Enter a Phase of Coolness
Although Saudi-Pakistani relations in military, security, and financial sectors have traditionally been close, with frequent high-level visits in recent years, recent developments indicate that these ties are entering a phase of coolness and mutual distrust.
The Saudi crown prince’s refusal to meet Pakistan’s army chief may signal a shift in Riyadh’s approach toward Islamabad—a shift that could have significant implications for the future of economic and security cooperation between the two countries.
