Islamabad (TDI): Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed Pakistan’s intent to strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the fields of education and religion during a meeting with the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh in Riyadh on Thursday.
Gilani, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on November 25 for a five-day official visit, highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between the two nations.
He emphasized Pakistan’s desire to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in education and religious matters, noting the importance of fostering mutual understanding and promoting the exchange of religious scholars to encourage tolerance and harmony.
This visit coincides with a period of heightened cooperation between both countries.
The two countries recently signed over 30 memorandums of understanding and agreements worth $2.8 billion, spanning sectors such as industry, agriculture, information technology, and energy.
In his remarks, Gilani commended the Grand Mufti’s efforts to promote peace and tolerance within the Muslim world, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to furthering its partnership with Saudi Arabia in both religious and educational spheres.
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The relationship between the two nations is further reinforced by the presence of over 2.6 million Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, who are a significant source of remittances, sending billions of dollars back to each year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also visited Saudi Arabia twice in recent months, underscoring the strategic and economic importance of the bilateral partnership.
