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Saudi crown prince oversees $20bn of deals with Pakistan

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Mohammed bin Salman and Imran Khan at a banquet held in the crown princes honor. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is greeted by Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, after landing in Islamabad. (PID)
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is greeted by Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, after landing in Islamabad. (PID)
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is greeted by Pakistan's prime minister, Imran Khan, after landing in Islamabad. (PID)
Updated 18 February 2019
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Saudi crown prince oversees $20bn of deals with Pakistan

  • Consider me ‘the ambassador of Pakistan’ in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman tells Imran Khan
  • Pakistani PM: Islamabad, Riyadh have elevated their relationship to ‘level where it has never been before’
Updated 18 February 2019
Mehreen Zahra-Malik

ISLAMABAD: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to consider him the “ambassador of Pakistan” in Saudi Arabia moments after the two countries signed key memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $20 billion on Sunday in the fields of energy, petrochemicals, minerals, agriculture and food processing.

The MoUs were signed by Pakistani and Saudi ministers on Sunday night in the presence of the crown prince and Khan.

The crown prince kicked off a rare Asian tour with a two-day visit to Pakistan on Sunday evening. After Islamabad, he will travel to India and China.

He was received by Khan and Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa as he landed in Rawalpindi. The crown prince was given a 21-gun salute upon arrival.

A formation of JF-17 thunder jets and F-16 fighter jets had escorted his plane after its entry into Pakistani airspace.

Khan broke protocol by personally driving the crown prince from the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi on the outskirts of Islamabad.

On a personal request by Khan to the crown prince to allow Hajj pilgrims to go through immigration procedures in Pakistan and to look into the conditions of Pakistani workers, particularly prisoners, in Saudi Arabia, the crown prince said the Kingdom will do “whatever we can do” to oblige Islamabad.

 

“Just consider me the ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia,” the crown prince said amid applause by Saudi and Pakistani ministers, journalists and businessmen present at the banquet at the Prime Minister House.

The crown prince said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had signed investment MoUs worth $20 billion.

“It’s big for phase one, and definitely it’s going to grow … and be beneficial for both countries,” he added.

“We believe that Pakistan is going to be a very, very important country in the coming future, and we want to be sure that we are part of that.”

Earlier, Khan and the crown prince had a one-on-one meeting at the Prime Minister House, followed by the inaugural session of the Supreme Coordination Council, co-chaired by the two leaders.

The council was formed “to fast track decisions in key areas of bilateral cooperation, and for close monitoring of their implementation,” the Prime Minister House said in a statement on Sunday night.

“Under the Supreme Coordination Council, a Steering Committee and Joint Working Groups have been set up at Ministerial and Senior Officials levels, to develop frameworks of cooperation in specific projects and submit recommendations to the respective Ministers.”

Khan and the crown prince will co-chair sessions of the joint working groups on Monday. “For Pakistanis, this is a great day,” Khan said in a speech delivered after the signing of the MoUs.

“Saudi Arabia has always been a friend for Pakistan. Saudi Arabia has been a friend when Pakistan has needed friends,” he added.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are taking their relationship to a level where it has never been before.”

Last year, Saudi Arabia offered Pakistan $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year, and a further loan worth up to $3 billion in deferred payments for oil imports to help stave off a current account crisis.

Speaking about the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) of energy and infrastructure projects that forms a key node in Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative linking China with Asia, Europe and beyond, Khan expressed hope that Saudi Arabia will participate with Islamabad in what he considered an “exciting future.”

He said: “We have CPEC, we have links with China, we have very close connectivity with probably … the biggest market in the world, which is China. So we welcome Saudi Arabia to participate with us. It’s an exciting future.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office earlier thanked the crown prince for “generously” reducing Saudi visa fees at Khan’s request.

The Saudi Embassy in Islamabad announced on Friday that non-pilgrimage visit visa fees for single entry has been lowered from SR2,000 ($533) to SR338, while the fee for a multiple-entry visa has been reduced from SR3,000 to SR675. The new fee structure came into effect on Feb. 15.

Topics: Saudi Arabia crown prince saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Imran Khan Pakistan Crown Prince Asia tour

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Saudi traveler drives in search of the aurora 

Updated 25 January 2026
Nada Hameed
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Saudi traveler drives in search of the aurora 

  • ‘It felt like a dream,’ says 27-year-old Malik Al-Sultan after seeing the famed Northern Lights 
Updated 25 January 2026
Nada Hameed

JEDDAH: A Saudi adventurer has driven thousands of kilometers across continents in pursuit of one of the planet’s rarest natural spectacles.

Malik Al-Sultan set out from Riyadh in a modified Toyota Hilux, crossing Europe by road to reach northern Norway, where he witnessed the Northern Lights. 

Auroras, or Northern Lights, are colorful and often delicate displays that occur when charged solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere, these shifting curtains of light are visible only during certain seasons. 

“I love trying new experiences, seeking adventure, and facing challenges,” Al-Sultan told Arab News. 

The idea of traveling long distances by car began in 2017 while Al-Sultan was in Switzerland with his family. “I saw a car there with a plate from one of the Gulf countries, and from that moment I was inspired,” he said.  

Once his plans were complete, the destination was clear. “When everything was ready, I chose Norway.” 

Al-Sultan, 27, is a university graduate and an employee who prefers simple travel. “I try to share my experience without exaggeration or change,” he said. “My goal is to visit as many countries as I can and share what I learn, what people need, and how much it costs.” 

His journey took nearly three weeks of driving, with extended stops to explore several countries. 

The route passed through Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkiye, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and finally Norway. 

Along the way, Al-Sultan relied on ferry crossings between France and the UK and between Denmark and Norway, as well as for some travel within Norway. 

Driving alone for long distances was challenging. “It was a bit tiring, but I took breaks to rest,” he said. Friends joined him on some stages during the trip. 

Al-Sultan made only essential modifications to his 2020 Toyota Hilux 4x4. “I changed the tires and some consumable parts,” he said. For winter conditions in Norway, he used special snow tires with metal studs. 

He said the vehicle was tested in difficult conditions — “especially in remote areas, high elevations, changing weather, and long distances.” Among the main challenges were “long distances and difficulty finding accommodation late at night.” 

The Northern Lights are best seen in the night sky and far away from city lights. The aurora season usually begins in late September and lasts until late March. Even during this period, witnessing the phenomenon requires luck, and many aurora hunters return home disappointed. 

Al-Sultan reached northern Norway near the city of Bodo, where he saw the Northern Lights earlier this month, close to the Rana area.

“It felt like a dream,” he said. “At first, I thought it was clouds or factory smoke reflecting light.” 

The lights appeared in green and red, and remained visible for more than half an hour.  

Reflecting on the experience, Al-Sultan said the journey taught him patience and self-reliance. “It showed me the value of endurance, trusting my own judgment, and making decisions independently,” he said. “I also discovered how to embrace and even enjoy challenges.” 

During the trip, he was warmly hosted by families in different countries. People “were genuinely excited about my journey, and their enthusiasm grew even more when they learned I’m from Saudi Arabia,” he said. “They were also curious about the purpose of my journey and where I was headed.” 

Despite the freezing temperatures during the trip, Al-Sultan chose to wear traditional Saudi attire. 

“The thobe and shemagh are part of my identity, and I’m proud of them,” he said. “I feel most comfortable wearing them, so it was the natural choice.”  

Al-Sultan added that this helped showcase “the true image of the Saudi citizen,” and he hoped he had represented his country positively. 

His journey is far from over. “My next goal,” he said, “is to reach Iceland.” 

Topics: Saudi Arabia Norway Northern Lights

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