Common sense suggested those who sent the plane needed to ask for a favour. In that case the person to talk to was Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi or Nawaz Sharif, who still exercises real power. If a meeting with a disqualified prime minister didn't look right (Saudis are not known to worry about such subtleties) a joint meeting with the two brothers could have worked. In the event, crown prince Muhammad bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, met with the younger brother while Mian Sahib kept waiting for an audience till the last hours of his stay in the kingdom. No one is sure about the subject of their discussions. One rumour has it that the Saudis had 'summoned' them out of concern about senior Sharif's confrontational policy that, they felt, was causing instability in Pakistan. But then again, the person to talk to was Nawaz Sharif. There seems to be credence to the claim of a senior print-broadcast journalist, that the two brothers were there for different reasons.
According to the opposition parties, the Sharifs went there looking for a deal to get rid of the family's legal troubles - something, they say, will not be allowed. But then it takes two, if not more, parties to strike a deal. Which is the other party, or parties? Nawaz Sharif has been accusing the army of tormenting him via the judiciary. Any attempted deal at this point in time could prove him right and the opposition wrong for maintaining that the judiciary now is completely independent - rightly believed to be so.
But the mystery surrounding the trip wouldn't lift. Repeatedly questioned about the purpose of Shahbaz Sharif travel to Saudi Arabia, Punjab government officials insisted that his meeting with the crown prince focused on matters related to the Muslim Ummah, in particular the cold shoulder the kingdom gave to the OIC meeting in Turkey that was to formulate the member countries response to US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Said the government spokesman Malik Mohammad Ahmad, "the Chief Minister had attended that moot, and his visit to Saudi Arabia should be seen in that context; he also met with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildrim [present in the kingdom] in this respect." The explanation is as ludicrous as can be. First of all, the CM is not known to be a fervent advocate of the Palestinian cause. Second of all, and more important, he could not have expected the impetuous Prince Muhammad to give a patient hearing to any advice on the issue. It was part of a well-considered policy that neither he nor his father, King Salman, attended the Islamic summit, deciding instead to send in a junior foreign ministry official. The crown prince is single-mindedly focused on countering Iran's growing influence in the region, and to that end sees commonality of interest with the US and Israel. Under no circumstances would he want to annoy Trump. Numerous press reports also speak of behind-the-scenes Saudi-Israeli contacts. Staying away from the OIC summit, therefore, was a deliberate act and not open for discussion.
Maryam Nawaz tried to portray the Sharifs secretive visit as a gesture of respect, saying something to the effect that only important leaders are invited in this way, flown by royal planes, but refused to say why were they called at this point in time and for what purpose. So far as senior Sharif is concerned, the answer may lie in press reports that say recent investigations into allegations of corruption against several royals, including a son of former king Abdullah, found a connection with his business concern in Saudi Arabia. There is still no answer as to why the other brother was sent for. Upon their return together, he had little to say to the eagerly awaiting reporters except that "my visit to Saudi Arabia was not unusual. I will hold a separate press conference to discuss the visit." Thus CM Sharif only deepened suspicion that there was something that needed to be hided. Sooner or later the mystery of the trip will unravel.
Saying 'yes sir' by this country's leaders to summoning by a foreign government for whatever reason is indefensible and unacceptable. Unfortunately, squabbling rulers in this country, both civilian and military, have time and again allowed outside powers, including Saudi Arabia, to intervene in Pakistan's domestic affairs at the cost of its dignity and respect. These interventions also create distortions in the political process. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia of course have a special relationship, but it is not a one-way street. Saudis have been giving financial help to Pakistan in difficult times, and Pakistan taking care of their security requirements. There is no need for the Sharifs or any other leader to go running to them at their command. What is needed is ending this country's dependence on foreign financial assistance. That can happen only if the rich and the powerful start paying their dues to the state, and its Augean stables are thoroughly cleaned up.
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