Pak's Saudi connection incompatible with the way states behave under law: Editorial

Islamabad, Oct.6 (ANI): The Pakistani leadership may have been denying Saudi Arabia's role in the country's politics, but it is an open secret that it has been playing an important part in deciding the troubled nation's fate.

An editorial in one of leading English dailies of Pakistan pointed out that despite being a 'democratic' country, Pakistani leaders keep on running to a state like Saudi Arabia, an absolute Islamic monarch nation, to resolve issues, which highlights the weakness of the state.

Reports suggests that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had recently abstained from contesting the Lahore by-polls following the Saudi King's orders who reminded him of the 'deal' that he had inked in 2002 as a 'quid pro quo' for his asylum and security, it said.

The Daily Times editorial said it is unlike a democratic nation to involve foreign countries in its internal matters.

The editorial pointed out that the Saudi influence was the same on both Pakistan's political leaders and the Army.

"This is incompatible with the way states behave under law but the Saudi connection is known to be special for politicians and the army alike," it said.

Pakistani leadership's closeness with Saudi Arabia is known to all, but not many know that the Armed forces also share a special relationship with Riyadh since 1980 when the Gulf Cooperation Council was established, the editorial added. (ANI)