An exclusive conversation with Engineering Post
In an exclusive interview with Engineering Post, Diwan Fakhruddin, the founder of Fakhri Brothers and Chairman of the Pakistan-UAE Business Council of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), and life member of SAARC, shared his insights on recent geopolitical developments and their potential to transform Pakistan’s economic landscape. Speaking with conviction and optimism, Diwan Fakhruddin expressed his satisfaction over the recent defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, describing it as a moment of national pride and a turning point in regional dynamics.
According to Diwan Fakhruddin, this agreement signifies far more than a strategic alliance. “It is an honor for Pakistan to be entrusted with the responsibility of providing security to the places which are sacred and holy to the entire Muslim world,” he stated. He emphasized that this development reflects Pakistan’s renewed global standing and growing recognition as a stabilizing force in the region. “After this, the dynamics of the world have changed. Pakistan has once again emerged as a positive force internationally,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of leveraging this momentum to enhance the country’s economic influence.
Transitioning from the defense perspective to the economic implications, Diwan Fakhruddin highlighted the immense trade potential between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Presently, Pakistan’s exports to Saudi Arabia stand at around $0.7 billion, while our neighbor country doing export of $274 billion, while Saudi Arabia’s total imports amount to approximately $232 billion. “This is the right opportunity for us to work aggressively towards improving our exports. Even if we capture just 5% of Saudi Arabia’s import market, it would translate to around $11 billion in exports, a huge leap for Pakistan’s economy,” he explained.
Diwan Fakhruddin believes that Pakistan must act strategically to strengthen its industrial base, enhance quality standards, and expand its exportable products to meet global demands. He urged the government and private sector to collaborate closely in identifying potential sectors that can cater to Saudi markets, such as construction materials, food products, textiles, and engineering services. “This is a window of opportunity that we cannot afford to miss,” he stressed.
In the same context, Diwan Fakhruddin also discussed the positive response from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the defense pact, noting that the UAE has appreciated Pakistan’s growing role in the region. He underlined the importance of enhancing bilateral trade relations with Dubai as well. “Currently, Pakistan exports goods worth around $1.1 billion to the UAE, while our imports from the UAE stand at about $11 billion. This trade imbalance needs to be addressed,” he said. He emphasized that improving trade relations with the UAE could significantly contribute to stabilizing Pakistan’s economy and strengthening long-term economic ties.
Diwan Fakhruddin stated foreign remittance from KSA to Pakistan is ranking first.
During the conversation, Diwan Fakhruddin took a moment to commend the efforts of the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al-Zaabi, for his exceptional contribution to promoting Pakistan-UAE relations. He urged the Government of Pakistan to formally recognize these efforts. “The ambassador has played an extraordinary role in fostering stronger diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries. I strongly recommend that he be presented with a civil award of Pakistan in acknowledgment of his remarkable services,” he stated.
Concluding the discussion, Diwan Fakhruddin reiterated that Pakistan stands at a defining moment in its history. “We must move forward with vision, unity, and determination, the world is looking at Pakistan once again, and it is our responsibility to rise to the occasion,” he concluded with optimism.
