PM Shehbaz Defends Saudi Ties, Labels Criticism ‘Unforgivable Crime’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s unwavering financial and diplomatic support to Pakistan, calling any criticism of the Kingdom an “unforgivable crime.”

Speaking at the inauguration of the restored Kachhi Canal in Balochistan, he warned against undermining Pakistan-Saudi ties, calling for national unity against anti-state narratives.

Recounting Saudi Arabia’s aid during Pakistan’s nuclear tests and recent IMF negotiations, the premier said, “Saudi Arabia has stood by Pakistan unconditionally for 77 years, advocating for us on platforms like the UN and bailing us out in times of crisis. Any attempt to harm this friendship is treasonous.”

Without directly naming names, PM Shehbaz condemned recent controversial remarks about Saudi Arabia, calling them a betrayal of national interests. “The largest national interest is being sacrificed for short-term political gains,” he lamented.

The event, attended by federal ministers, provincial chief ministers, and senior officials, also marked the canal’s restoration, which will irrigate over 715,000 acres of Balochistan’s farmland after being damaged in the 2022 floods.

PM Shehbaz highlighted the Kingdom’s past support, including free oil supplies after the 1998 nuclear tests, and acknowledged Saudi investment commitments worth billions of dollars. He credited his predecessor Nawaz Sharif for initiating the Kachhi Canal project in 1998 and pledged federal support for its second phase.

The prime minister also praised Balochistan CM Sarfaraz Bugti for fostering merit-based governance and solarizing tube wells, alongside Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz for healthcare and agriculture initiatives like a free tractor scheme and cancer hospital projects.