Interview with Mr. Majyd Aziz, President Employers Federation of Pakistan
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Majyd Aziz: I am head of my family business Group that is involved in textiles, commodities, and maritime, etc. I am President Employers Federation of Pakistan, Former President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Former Chairman of SITE Association of Industry, Former President of (UN) Global Compact Network Pakistan, the first elected President of South Asian Forum of Employers, and am Former Director of KESC and SITE Ltd. I am also Senior Advisor for Pakistan for Transnational Strategy Group, based in Washington. I am Former Member of Board of Directors of the government-owned Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd and Former Chairman of the government-owned SME Bank Ltd. Besides these, I am Founding Governor of Musaliha International Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR), and Founder of many Bilateral Business Forums. I have the honor to represent Pakistan at various international forums and am Honorary Citizen of Houston as well as Austin, Texas, USA.
PAGE: What is your perspective about Pakistan and Saudi Arabia trade relations?
Majyd Aziz: There is a distinctive relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that is a multi-faceted landscape having religion, security, finance, trade, and work opportunities spread around as an array that is exceptional. Hence, whenever trade and investment between the two fraternal countries are discussed and deliberated, the subjects of religion, defence, and employment become intertwined in these talks. Pakistan has continued to receive huge financial loans and assistance, including supply of oil on favorable terms and conditions. However, in the past, Pakistan was never given the status of a premier supplier of workers, nor Pakistani products and commodities were given preference, nor Pakistan was the ideal place for short and long term investment. There was always an “also ran” feeling that Pakistanis had when it came to bilateral relationship.
But times changed and the pendulum has begun to tilt towards Pakistan. The Middle Eastern dynamics such as the unwarranted Iran-US-Israel conflict, the resurgence of Houthi attacks and inroads, the unsettling Strait of Hormuz situation, the disruption of oil and gas supplies, the tense conditions resulting from Iran attacks on US defence installations in certain Arab countries, and the overarching dark clouds of an escalating global war, enabled Pakistan into an ambiguous position, on one hand, of peacemaker, security provider, and fervent conflict resolver, but on the other hand, facing an economic crisis due to high oil prices, erratic availability of LNG, and threats of the conflicts surfing into the territories of Pakistan.
Today, Pakistan is at a vantage point, especially in relationship with Saudi Arabia, because Riyadh has accepted the fact that it needs Pakistan more than before. Pakistan Armed Forces have the capability, the strength, and the power to stand as a bulwark in protecting Saudi Arabia, and to ensure that no one would dare attack the two Holy Mosques. Hence, this is the moment to strenuously lobby for Saudi investment and also providing more space for Pakistani products, commodities, and services in Saudi Arabia. Trade, investment, and defence must complement one another.
The Pakistani Diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which includes workers, business-related persons, and defence personnel is between 2.75 and 2.85 million and may increase if there is an imperative need for uniformed personnel, technical experts, and agricultural workers. They provide a quarter of total remittances of Overseas Pakistanis. In 2025-26, Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia sent nearly $10 billion, which was a huge source of reducing the overall deficit.
PAGE: Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically. How would you comment on it?
Majyd Aziz: Seventy five years ago, a Treaty of Friendship was signed between the two countries, laying the basis of bilateral cooperation. This Treaty needs to be revisited and upgraded because it is not 1951 anymore. The ecosystem has evolved into more than just friendship. It encompasses many facets that are essential in modern day diplomacy and national interests. HRH, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, during one of his trips to Pakistan was magnanimous in declaring he may be considered as Ambassador of Pakistan in Riyadh, and this statement won the hearts of each and every Pakistani. This was a testament to the deep-rooted Islamic brotherhood and enduring friendship that exist at both leadership and people-to-people levels. The Pakistani Diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which includes workers, business-related persons, and defence personnel, is between 2.75 and 2.85 million and may increase if there is an imperative need for uniformed personnel, technical experts, and agricultural workers.
PAGE: What is your take on Saudi Arabia’s investment in energy, petroleum, agriculture and infrastructural development in Pakistan?
Majyd Aziz: Saudi Arabia can further enhance the relationship with Pakistan by massively investing in Pakistan’s indigenous sectors such as mining, fisheries, agriculture, livestock, and even in defence production. Saudi financial resources, Pakistan’s natural resources, and Pakistan’s human resources, together can create colossal wealth that would generate employment, enhance exports, establish new domestic markets, and introduce economic prosperity that Pakistani is aiming to achieve. This would tremendously create progress, growth, and more wealth.
There have been news reports about Saudi investment of $20 billion in an oil refinery in Balochistan as well as formidable investment in the agriculture sector. As of now, there is no apparent progress, and it is hoped that these would come into fruition. Saudi investors should also look favorably into the Special Economic Zones and set up large industries, especially those in which the products are exported, primarily to Saudi Arabia. Positive initiatives by Saudis would foster a flourishing investment-friendly environment in Pakistan.
PAGE: What is your take on the recent development between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in terms of diplomacy, trade and security?
Majyd Aziz: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have an established, long-standing, and mutually beneficial bond between the Armed Forces of both Islamic nations, and this relationship is holistic and entrenched. The visionary Makkah Defence Alliance, recently signed by both countries alongwith Turkiye, is proof positive that the capabilities, experience, and martial skills of the Pakistani forces are recognized, valued, and held in high esteem. Pakistani Armed Forces have time and again displayed before the world that when it is drawn into conflict or war, then they are second to none. Pakistan Army’s continuing support towards capacity building of Royal Saudi Land Forces is an acknowledgement by Saudi Arabia and is akin to a treasure of wealth not only for the uniformed personnel but all denizens of Pakistan. It goes without saying that “When no one can do it, Pakistan can”.
Many countries rarely plan their future food and water requirements, but Saudi Arabia has changed the paradigm for its citizens by jumpstarting with initiatives aimed at tackling these impending catastrophic issues. The results have been phenomenal. The Kingdom has structured the Vision 2030 Targets Related to Food and Agriculture that seeks to raise the agriculture sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s GDP and enhance its role in diversifying the non-oil economy and to double agricultural output by 2030. The essence of this Vision is to ensure the availability and price stability of food supplies, to reduce food loss and waste, and to enhance its global competitiveness in the export of Saudi food products. This shift must be studied by the Pakistani policymakers and ways and means must be developed to become a strategic partner of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is also interested to acquire five million tons of Alfalfa for which they have offered to procure at higher prices than market prices. Pakistan’s agriculturists must ensure that they become providers of Alfalfa.
The future of Saudi-Pak relationship must be on shared values and mutual considerations. Pakistanis have a deep-rooted closeness and highly respect the Saudis, and this relationship transcends the ups and downs of any relationship. Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations, superbly stated that “Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically. And I would like to underscore the word physically. We will go to any extent for the security of Haramain Sharifain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To any extent as asked and required by our Saudi brothers.” 260 million Pakistanis echo this pronouncement.