His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abdel Aziz alSaud’s visit to Pakistan and his talking to the press in Rawalpindi, was simply extra-ordinary – at the very least. It is neither Déja Senti (already thought) nor Déja Vecu (already experienced).

Istekhabaraat – al Aama commonly called G.I.D; (General Intelligence Department) Chief, is the Attorney-in-fact of the state and Government of Saudi Arabia. According to better connected diplomats G.I.D boss is the real "Extra-ordinary and plenipotentiary" for most of the high value international affairs. Media has stated that HRH Prince Muqrin and Sáad Hariri delegation was supplemented by two more dignitaries from Saudi Arabia. And they did participate in the parlays with Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, in VVIP Rawal lounge at Chaklala airport on 9/10, MMVII.

Who could ever upgrade the delegation headed by Prince Muqrin? I don’t know. A few journalists may find out, in due course, quoting reliable sources! I, for sure, would not be one of them. Meantime, let us make a guess. They have to be the principals, who had something to do with the original agreement signed with His Excellency Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in CE 2000. Ambiguity has trespassed into an international agreement. Mian Nawaz Sharif has declared: "Although I signed the document which stipulated 10 years but I was assured to read: five years ban and banish!" I can’t comprehend or comment. I am not a party. I write because my dear Ednan Shahid asked me to. And Mr Rashad Rahman edits my vague contributions to readable texture.

In spite of the high flying nascent electronic media which can dare misquote Supreme Court of Pakistan proceedings, this humble scribe cannot make any wild guess. It would be vile to speculate.

It is however, authentic that the agreement with H.E Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was signed and implemented during the tenure of HRH Prince Turki al Faisal as G.I.D Chief. I must venture to assume that he in fact, had to be the Architect of the document and its implementations procedure.

According to stale media reports, Prince Turki was relaxing within his Ostrich farm, located beyond outskirts of Riyadh. Here is a scant detail of the background of Prince Turki, the son of noble and serene Malik Faisal bin Abdel Aziz al Saud.

Let me try to explain. Sheikh Kamal Adham, a nobleman of Albanian Turkish decent was a trusted and highly respected friend of Malik Abdel Aziz bin Abdul Rahman alSaud – the founder of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sheikha Iffat, his daughter was married to the most promising son of King Abdel Aziz alSaud. All of us revere him and know him as Malik Faisal bin Abdel Aziz alSaud. Paksitanis treasure his image, while he was praying for the Muslim Ummah in Badshahi Masjid Lahore during his memorable visit to attend OIC meeting in 197(?) No gems, jewels or pearls of this universe could match the value or significance of the tears rolling down his noble face.

He had illustrious children from this marriage. You know them as Muhammad al Faidal, Saud al Faisal, Abdur Rahman al Faisal, Benni- Durr al Faisal and Turki al Faisal. There are two daughters. One of them is Shahzadi Haifa who is the wife of Prince Benni Durr bin Sultan. King Faisal’s other two sons (as I know) are Abdullah Al Faisal and Khalid Al Faisal – the trustee of Faisal Foundation.

For this piece I would rather confine to a single incident of Prince Turki al Faisal. It illustrates the vision and wisdom of Prince Turki. He became the Chief of G.I.D, the intelligence department of Saudi Arabia, at the ripe age of 32 years. And served his country in that position from 15th of August ’77 to 4th of September 2002. Why he left that position, is the subject of another topic involving global: Come-ons and put-offs! Later, His Excellency Turki was Saudi Ambassador to the White Hall not for very long, in London, and thereafter, as Saudi envoy to the White House for short. Prince Benni Durr a.k.a Bandar bin Sultan had been the Saudi Ambassador to USA for crucial 25 years. That is before Prince Turki assumed office and sooner than later relinquished the charge in Washington D.C.

It is said, Prince Turki knew Osama bin Laden during his childhood. Also, as G.I.D Chief, he visited Khartoum alongwith Osama’s mother, to persuade him to revert back to better vocation, his own country and his citizenship! OBL did not choose to agree to the sane advice and affectionate appeal of his mother.

One last time Prince Turki is stated to have visited Osama in Qandhar with the same appeal and received the same response. It is alleged youthful Amir-ul-Momineen Mullah Umar made an undiplomatic statement addressed to the visiting prince, that soured the sojourn. But above all is not the theme of this piece. Here is the one which is:-

Prince Turki al Faisal remained the G.I.D Chief for good 19 days plus quarter of a century. In fact spanning parts of two consecutive centuries.

During that period there was an occasion when Col Muammer Qazzafi (although he spells it otherwise) of Libya started making rash and irrational remarks about Saudi Arabia and its ruling clan. A staff officer, deputed to International press and media, compiled a dossier about his outbursts. Dutifully, he placed the file for Chief’s attention and decision. Unlike the past precedents, that file did not merit notice of the prince. At least that’s what the deputy thought. He filed a subsequent report and flagged it as "Urgent". No response was accorded.

A few days and quite a few supplementary reports later, the deputy was genuinely perturbed. And it was writ on his face. As a sort of mercy petition, he again submitted a comprehensive executive summary of all he had already presented. Later that day, the prince called his subordinate to his freshly "sweeped" inner chamber. Asked him to sit down and relax – then he said something to the following effect:-

"I have seen all your reports and supporting dossiers from day one. I have watched your concern and your agitation, within and without. I value your sincerity and appreciate your dedication and due diligence. But, we, the Aalle Saud<> do have a longstanding tradition. "We Accord Very High Value to Silence".

Now, that his successor has visited Rawalpindi, met President Pervez Musharraf, has talked to the media and disclosed the details of the compact with Mr Nawaz Sharif, is proof positive that there are some pressing circumstances for this unprecedented gesture by a Saudi Royal. Otherwise, Aalle Saud would not breach their treasured family tradition.

The Arabs, in general, share a lot of their traits with their vital companion; the camel. And camel class never forgets a slight. Irrespective of the elapsed period, the camels are known to have chewed up the body parts of humans, who had hurt them. In vernacular it is called: "Shuutter Keena".

Arabs do have an outstanding reputation for utmost hospitality. Abdel Aziz al Saud did have a set back during one of his earlier expeditions for power. He sought refuge in Kuwait. The lodging, he and his entourage, was offered in that fishing town, was humble at best. But then, that was the best the hosts could offer. I have seen the pencil sketch of the compound. Even a back-pack tourist would not have sent that back home – as picture post card. But the respite accorded sufficient space to Abdel Aziz Al Saud, to regroup, prepare and plan for his successful onslaught on Riyadh. The rest, of course, is history. The next generation of both the clans experienced the gratifying reciprocation, in 1990.

Saddam Hussain was "April Glyspied" (duped) by the charming American Ambassador. The stupid follow invaded and occupied Kuwait. And destroyed Kuwait defenses like a hurricane category V. The Al Sabah family with early warnings, had already fled to Saudi Arabia and sought refuge there. Saudi Royalty accorded them Royal reception and accommodated them in their palaces in Taif – a hill station with temperate climate.

This too is a matter of record, that foreign companies legally established, in either country could easily operate in the other, without getting themselves enlisted. And that was to celebrate their historic inter-dependence, and Most Favored Nation trade ties, ever since, – Al Saud refuge.

Mian Nawaz Sharif and his extended family’s refuge in Saudi Arabia had been the replay and display of traditional Saudi hospitality. But there is a jinx.

The recent visit to Pakistan of HRH Prince Murqin bin Abdel Aziz demonstrates that Saudi Arabia could be a "Second home" for Mr Nawaz Sharif – with a difference this time – with effect from the tenth of September 2007.

Please watch out for Hazart Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s reportage. Honorable Leader of the opposition plans to immediately proceed to perform Umra and inquire about the well-being of Mian Nawaz Sharif.