ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Bin Abdulkarim Al-Khereiji on Sunday to discuss the strategic partnership between the two countries, reaffirming close cooperation for regional security and peace, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, met Al-Khereiji on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s 22nd Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting in Jeddah. The CFM was organized to discuss Muslim states’ response to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. 

“Both sides discussed strengthening Pakistan–Saudi strategic partnership and reaffirmed close cooperation within the OIC for peace, stability and security in the region,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement. 

Dar also met OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha at the sidelines of the conference. The Pakistani minister highlighted Pakistan’s strong condemnation of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and its unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia, the foreign office said. 

“DPM/FM also urged SG to step up his efforts for the realization of the right to self-determination of Kashmiri people,” the statement added. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial ties that date back decades and include cooperation in several sectors such as defense, trade, economy, agriculture, livestock and minerals. 

Saudi Arabia is the largest source of foreign remittances to Pakistan, with over two million Pakistani expats residing in the Kingdom. 

The two countries also signed a landmark strategic partnership agreement in September 2025, according to which an act of aggression against one country will be seen as an attack on both.