Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to leave for Saudi Arabia today (Thursday) on an official visit aimed at further strengthening ties between the two countries, the Foreign Office announced.
According to the statement, the prime minister will be accompanied by senior cabinet members. During the trip, he is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to review the full range of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global issues of common concern.
“The visit is expected to formalize cooperation in multiple sectors, reflecting the shared resolve of both sides to deepen their partnership,” the FO said.
It added that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a longstanding relationship rooted in faith, values, and mutual trust. The visit, it noted, would provide an opportunity to consolidate ties and explore fresh avenues of collaboration.
This will be Shehbaz Sharif’s third trip to the Kingdom this year. In March, his visit focused on boosting trade, investment, and economic cooperation, while in June he travelled to Saudi Arabia during Eidul Adha.
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In October last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 memoranda of understanding to enhance private sector collaboration and expand commercial partnerships.
The prime minister also met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier this week on the sidelines of an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, convened after Israeli airstrikes in Qatar killed Hamas leaders.
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At that meeting, Shehbaz praised the crown prince’s role in uniting the Muslim world and pledged Pakistan’s support at the United Nations Security Council, where Islamabad is currently a non-permanent member, and other multilateral forums including the OIC.
Prince Mohammed, in turn, welcomed Pakistan’s active diplomatic role at the UNSC and OIC in backing Qatar.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
