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Crown Prince

Saudi executions

Saudi Arabia’s human rights record has been under increasing scrutiny from rights groups and Western allies ever since the killing of the Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, in 2018. The kingdom has faced strong criticism of its restrictive laws on political and religious expression, and the implementation of the death penalty, including for defendants arrested when they were minors.

Diplomatic breakthrough

The meeting at the high table can, therefore, be expected to go beyond the customary diplomatic grandstanding. When the desert kingdom’s Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman greeted the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with an embrace on arrival, it was more than a symbolic gesture.

Snubbed by MBS, Pakistan colludes with his rivals in House of Saud

Sources in Riyadh told IANS that Gen Bajwa who visited Saudi Arabia on Monday returned home without getting to meet the Crown Prince MBS. He had undertaken the visit as a damage control exercise after the Pakistan government threatened to split the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) over Kashmir.

Khashoggi murder happened ‘under my watch’: MBS

Khashoggi -- a supporter-turned-critic of the Crown Prince and a Washington Post columnist -- was killed and reportedly dismembered in October 2018 by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has not been found until now.

Saudi reforms

Critically, this will entail registering a marriage, divorce or a child’s birth, and being issued official family documents.