The relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are not what they seem to be. There are underlying tensions. Since 1980 Pakistan has been giving preference to Saudi Arabia over its neighbour Iran, which can meet our requirements of crude oil also like Saudi Arabia. It is a fact that Saudi Arabia has been funding madrassahs in Pakistan. These madrassahs are the main source of supply of indoctrinated Taliban. There are around 20,000 madrassahs in Pakistan. They are the only available schooling system for the poor Pakistani children. But most of their students are indoctrinated with hatred for Shias and hostility to the West. Pakistan with a majority of Sunni sect has religious inclination towards Saudi Arabia and those responsible for the country’s foreign policies have always preferred Saudi Arabia over Iran.
S T HUSSAIN
Lahore
