While the United States elections are the talk of the town, the visit of Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari will be of interest only for those who are concerned with Pakistan and its issues. No doubt Pakistan has become the center of global attention since the scenario of international politics changed after 9/11. Now when Pakistan is in midst of a serious economic crisis, Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud invited the President to visit the Kingdom. Zardari's purpose is to seek Saudi Arabia's assistance for the deferred payment for oil facility to help the country deal with the balance of payments crisis. He visited Saudi Arabia before his election as president in July as part of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's delegation for this purpose. Pakistan with 170 million people needs billions in assistance to avoid defaulting on its international loans. It is hampered by high inflation, chronic power outages and a sinking currency, as well as a violent Islamist insurgency. Analysts are warning that Pakistan should prepare for International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance. It is the best way to solve the problem, and Zardari is trying his best to solve it. Effort is important. But knowing where to make an effort makes the difference. So Zardari is taking efforts in the right direction. Some friends are as valuable as brothers. They hold you up, allow you to lean on them, and sometimes, it's sufficient to know they are standing by you. The relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stand on a similar note. Zardari and King Abdullah exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international pssues. In his talks with the Saudi leadership, Zardari discussed ways to attract more investments into Pakistan in areas like energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and industry. Saudi businessmen are taking great interest to invest in Pakistan's agriculture sector. The delegation of Saudi traders would visit Pakistan in March 2009 to explore business opportunities in Pakistan. Since, Pakistan is a great agricultural economy and also has one of the biggest canal systems in the world, it can re-build itself if proper collaboration and investment are made. Agricultural collaboration with Pakistan will be beneficial for both countries. Firstly, it will be the great step for Saudi Arabia to reach agreements in agricultural sector with Pakistan, as the Kingdom depends on other countries for food production. The Kingdom is the biggest food importer in the Gulf region and the world's largest importer of barley, as well as the fifth largest importer of rice. Food prices on the world market have risen, particularly those of rice rose over 90 percent last year. Pakistan can be right choice for Saudi Arabia to collaborate and invest in agricultural sector where investment can be made to ensure food security. Pakistan has ample and vast fertile land and people with know-how and with the induction of capital and technology, it can provide food to Mid-east region. On the other hand, the collaboration of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan's agricultural area can solve its disputes involving neighbors as well. There have been complaints in Pakistan that India has allegedly diverted water to fill up the reservoir of the Baglihar hydel power station in Jammu and Kashmir. The investment activities in Pakistan by Saudis in agricultural sector would be leading to tackle the problems of the decrease in the supply of water from the Chenab River by India. India would be reckless to act against its largest supplier of oil, Saudi Arabia. In the last financial year, India bought 539,780 bpd Saudi Arabia crude. Earlier in the middle of this year, India has raised the petrol price by Rs 5.00 a liter, diesel by Rs 3.00 a liter and domestic LPG by Rs 50.00 per cylinder fuelling inflation rate to 13th year-high. India's economic ties with Saudi Arabia received a significant boost with the signing of the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. Since its independence in 1947, India has sought to maintain strong ties with Saudi Arabia, an important state and trading base in West Asia. The opportunities of investment exist both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. In Pakistan, due to its geo-strategic location since it is the gateway to the landlocked Central Asian countries and as such is the biggest market of the region. Meanwhile, Saudi market is the largest market of the region and a gateway to the African countries. Six million people are expected to perform Umrah and Haj in the new year and all investment in the services sectors will be of immense benefit to the investors. President Zardari had several core issues to discuss with Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The two leaders exchanged views on challenges facing Muslims around the world, the inter-faith initiative launched by the Saudi monarch and efforts to curb terrorism and extremism. Moreover, president Zardari sought to seek Saudi Arabia's assistance for the newly formed Friends of Pakistan group as well as on the issue of negotiating with the Taleban. However, there was another potential topic which should be addressed so far and indeed, Saudi Arabia is the only country with whose help, the issue can be solved. This issue is none other than ‘the dilemma of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh'. They have been living under indescribable conditions in Bangladesh for over a quarter of a century for no reason other than their pride in calling themselves Pakistanis. The reactivation of ‘Rabita Trust' can play the key role for the rehabilitation of those stranded Pakistanis. It was frozen in October 2001 due to some embezzlement charges which proved to be wrong by the auditors M/S Fergusson. Saudi Arabia in general, always supported the cause to help those ill-fated stranded Pakistanis. For example, King Abdullah sent 200 tons of dates to their camps last year. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz authorized treatment of late Nasim Khan, head of Stranded Pakistanis General Repatriation Committee (SPGRC). Dr Abdullah Omar Naseef, President of World Muslim Congress (a recipient of Hilal-e-Pakistan) visited the camps last year. International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) maintains several health clinics and schools in camps. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) sends every year 5,000 carcasses of sacrificial goats to them. Indeed, all this shows the desire to support stranded Pakistanis. The only need is the attention of Pakistani Government to this forgotten issue in such meetings with Saudi Arabia for promoting bilateral relations. It should be noticed that one step forward to fulfill this forgotten pledge can be beneficial for Pakistan's own economy. As for the Pakistan Repatriation Council's (PRC) proposal for the settlement on self-finance basis , it recommends the employment in Saudi Arabia and Middle East for the male members of stranded Pakistanis. According to Sa'ad Al Badah, chairman of the National Recruitment Committee at the Saudi Council of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, “Saudi Arabia, which has an expatriate workforce of an estimated six million workers, is facing an acute shortage of foreign manpower.” Some analysts say that the country need over million foreign manual labor for the current development programs. Hence, according to the proposal of PRC, if Saudi Arabia as well as the other Gulf countries tare approached to issue 37,000 visas for employment for which Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka would have to issue passport to them, this would ultimately help to increase the foreign exchange reserves which have fallen by three-quarters this year. When their families would be settled in Pakistan with the help of ‘Rabita Trust', they would send remittances to them in Pakistan. Pakistan is facing grave challenges but, many neglected issues can be the pathway to resolve or at least reduce some major hurdles. It just needs to plan and to realize that the small obstacles may lead to big impediments, if ignored. A good leader is needed in motivating the country in toughest times. He prepares the country for future succession. Currently, Zardari is optimistic and deferential by saying that Pakistan needs trade, not aid. His allies are proving themselves by doing their best to save Pakistan. If we are basically positive in attitude, we will attract and create people, situations and events which confirms to our positive expectations. Falling down is not defeat. Defeat is when you refuse to get up. __
