Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to travel to Riyadh within the next two days at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to media reports.
The visit comes in the wake of the recent Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran, and is likely to focus on key regional and global developments. The trip signals continued high-level engagement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a longstanding strategic partner.
The Islamabad negotiations, held over the weekend, marked the first direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in over a decade, and the most significant dialogue since the Iranian Revolution. The talks followed a fragile ceasefire aimed at ending weeks of intense conflict across the Gulf region.
Despite lengthy discussions lasting nearly a full day, the two sides were unable to reach a formal agreement. Shortly afterwards, the United States announced plans to impose a maritime blockade on Iranian ports, raising concerns about the stability of the already fragile ceasefire.
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Economic cooperation is also expected to be a major focus of Shehbaz’s visit, particularly after recent financial support announcements from Riyadh and Doha amounting to billions of dollars for Pakistan.
The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is also expected to join the delegation after concluding his ongoing visit to the United States.
Although a ceasefire is currently holding and Iran has paused attacks on US-linked targets in the Gulf, Pakistan has taken additional security measures by deploying fighter jets and other military assets to Saudi Arabia under an existing defense arrangement.
The two countries signed a mutual defense pact in 2025, further strengthening their longstanding security cooperation by committing to collective response in case of aggression against either side.
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The upcoming visit is expected to reinforce strategic coordination between Islamabad and Riyadh, particularly in light of evolving regional dynamics.
It also reflects Pakistan’s continued diplomatic outreach aimed at supporting peace efforts while safeguarding its economic and security interests.
