Saudi foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has been in Pakistan for a two-day visit to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries in the political and economic spheres. This was the first high-level visit to Pakistan by any Saudi official in six years. According to the minister both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (SA) share a common outlook on international issues and could together along with other Muslim countries find a way out of the crisis engulfing Islamic states, particularly Afghanistan and Syria. Saud al-Faisal had bought a special message for the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. The content of the message was not disclosed. On the other hand in his effort to halt speculations about his visit being meant to rescue Musharraf, the minister had relegated the issue to Pakistan’s internal matter. This diplomatic statement has in fact raised more speculations, especially when the content of the message has not been revealed. The political storm brewing around Musharraf’s sudden illness has changed the complexion of the case wherein the military is not directly involved and the government is ostensibly determined to make the former military chief face the music. Will Musharraf be allowed to leave the country? This is one question in every political discourse. Though Musharraf’s illness is curable in Pakistan, considering the care his personal doctor sitting in England could give him, he might be flown out of the country. Musharraf’s departure would close one of the most contentious chapters of Pakistan’s contemporary history, wherein the army was bought face to face with the civilian government on the charges of abrogating the constitution and usurping power. Though Musharraf was the centre of attention of the Saudi prince’s visit, issues such as terrorism, especially in the context of Afghanistan and the role SA could play in taming sectarianism in Pakistan were broached with the minister. On Afghanistan, the foreign minister contended that in the aftermath of US withdrawal from the region, it is imperative that terrorists are discouraged from regrouping and blighting the country again through their destructive ideologies. What strategies the kingdom would use to prevent terrorists, especially al Qaeda from using Afghan soil again will only be known later. On its part, Pakistan has asked Saudi Arabia to pull out its financial support from seminaries indulging in sectarian violence. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in making jihad a working industry in Pakistan is not hidden. The recruitment from seminaries funded by Saudi Arabia has played an extensive role in not only helping that industry work overtime but propagating Wahabi Islam that has eschewed the spirit of tolerance otherwise part of Pakistan’s religious framework. The government having won the mandate on brokering a peace deal with terrorists is out to seek any help that could help it combat terrorism (which has now converged with sectarianism and other crimes) without opting for a military operation. On the economic front SA is equally interested to help Pakistan. The minister has said that his country is ready to extend all kinds of cooperation to Pakistan in energy and other sectors. The same collaboration would be seen in the area of defence. Nawaz Sharif’s close ties with SA is considered the reason why a high-level Saudi official has visited Pakistan now after six years. Saudi Arabia’s assistance has been instrumental in bringing Pakistan out of many crises in the past. Now, if it could help get Pakistan out of the terrorism and energy crises, the friendship would be considered well served. However, for long-term peace both in Pakistan and other Muslim countries, SA’s involvement in using jihadists as proxies to achieve its own political objectives must end. *