KARACHI, Pakistan — Pakistan’s return of $3.45 billion to the United Arab Emirates last week — funds that had been quietly rolled over for years to support its IMF-backed reserves — may point to a broader shift in Gulf financial diplomacy, as traditional lifelines give way to more conditional, strategically driven engagement.

The timing is notable. Even as Abu Dhabi pulled back a key pillar of Pakistan’s financial stability, a UAE-based firm moved ahead with the acquisition of a bank in Karachi, underscoring a more selective approach that favors long-term investment over open-ended support.

For years, Gulf states, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have acted as financial backstops for Pakistan during periods of economic stress. The $3.45 billion deposit, first extended in 2018 and routinely rolled over, was a central component of that arrangement, helping Islamabad meet foreign reserve targets tied to International Monetary Fund programs.

When the Iran war broke out, Pakistan sought to position itself as a mediator and ultimately helped secure a temporary ceasefire. But shortly afterward, Abu Dhabi requested full repayment of the funds — a move that caught Islamabad off guard and forced it to scramble for alternatives. Saudi Arabia stepped in with $5 billion, followed by an additional $3 billion, allowing Pakistan to settle the obligation.