Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has been visiting Saudi Arabia on his official visit, however, no announcement was made so far regarding financial aid to Pakistan.
The Pakistani government is eyeing financial assistance from friendly countries including Saudi Arabia and China while some ministers had already hinted at getting financial support from Riyadh to avoid default.
However, there is no announcement yet after the ongoing visit of the army chief to Riyadh.
During his visit, COAS Munir met top military command of Saudi Arabia besides meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and ways to enhance them. The Saudi crown prince, who is also the prime minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received Gen Munir at his winter camp in the city of AlUla.
The SPA also shared pictures of the crown prince’s reception for the army chief, which was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and National Security Adviser Dr Musaed bin Muhammad al Aiban.
The state news agency stated that the two leaders discussed “a number of issues of common concern” in addition to bilateral ties.
COAS Gen Asim Munir is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) since January 4. He is expected to return to Pakistan on January 10.
Earlier, the statement issued by the Chinese State Council regarding the recent telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his counterpart Li Keqiang did not mention any budgetary support to Pakistan.
US, Saudi Arabia may help Pakistan to avoid default
News360 reported a few days ago that the United States (US) and Saudi Arabia might come forward to help Pakistan to avoid default.
Pakistan has to pay $1.3 billion in external debt on January 10, while it does not seem possible due to the dwindling foreign exchange reserves in the country. In such a situation Saudi Arabia and the United States (US) would have shown a ray of hope.
Government default imposed by regime change is looming, so frantic efforts are being made to somehow avoid it.
According to the sources, there have been two developments in this regard in recent days, which can be considered positive for the Shehbaz Sharif government.
Sources told News360 that the government is busy trying to somehow avoid going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because it will not be possible to provide relief to the people in the presence of the strict conditions, whereas, the elections are ahead. The government would face failure if it fails to provide relief to the masses and due to popularity of Imran Khan.
PM Shehbaz-Li Keqiang talks: Chinese govt did not mention budgetary support to Pakistan
Sources added that in order to avoid the IMF deal, high-level contacts were made with some friendly countries, in this regard, Saudi Arabia and the United States have assured assistance.
According to sources, the United States assured to transfer $2 billion to the account of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Saudi Arabia also expressed its willingness to give another $2 billion.
It was also reported that a top military figure will visit Saudi Arabia in the next day or two, while a top government figure will visit the United States. And if the deal is finalized and things are settled, January 10 will pass well for Pakistan.