ISLAMABAD: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir will arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday, the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad told Arab News.
During the course of his visit, Al-Jubeir is expected to meet Prime Minster Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.
Al-Jubeir’s visit comes at a time when Islamabad is embroiled in a bitter spat with New Delhi following India’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
On Monday, PM Khan discussed the latest developments in the region during a telephone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said in a statement.
“Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has received a telephone call from Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan,” the SPA said.
This was the third such contact between the two leaders since New Delhi took the decision on August 5.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always shared close, bilateral ties. However, the relations hit a new high after PM Khan assumed office last year.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Raja Ali Ejaz met with Al-Jubeir in Riyadh where the two discussed bilateral ties and issues of common concern.
Meanwhile, the UAE embassy in Islamabad confirmed on Tuesday that Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be visiting Islamabad for a day-long visit to meet political and military leaders on Wednesday.
Saudi Minister of State Al-Jubeir to visit Islamabad today
Saudi Minister of State Al-Jubeir to visit Islamabad today
- Al-Jubeir is expected to meet with Pakistan’s top political and military leadership
- Follows PM Khan and crown prince’s phone call to discuss regional situation
At Islamabad conference, Pakistan pitches agriculture as next frontier for Chinese investment
- Hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani firms attended the event focusing on fertilizers, seeds, smart farming and irrigation techniques
- PM Sharif urges Pakistani farmers, businesses and universities to engage with Chinese institutions and experts to modernize agriculture
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday pitched Pakistan’s agriculture sector as the next major frontier for Chinese investment, highlighting opportunities in agri-business, food processing and farming technologies.
The prime minister said this while addressing the Pakistan-China Agriculture Investment Conference, which brought together Chinese and Pakistani agriculturists, entrepreneurs, experts, academicians and government officials.
Hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani firms attended the event that focused on fertilizers, seed varieties, machinery, precision farming and smart irrigation systems, according to the organizers.
Sharif said China had never shied away from providing Pakistan with best possible expertise and technologies, and both sides had signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at similar summits in Shandong and Beijing in last two years.
“I was very happy to express my satisfaction over the progress we are making in terms of converting these MOUs into agreements,” he said. “Today’s conference is a clear indication that Chinese business houses are more than willing to shake hands with Pakistani business houses.”
The conference was billed by Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research as a platform for deepening bilateral agricultural ties and supporting broader economic engagement between the two countries.
Sharif called on Pakistani farmers, agribusinesses and universities to actively engage with Chinese institutions and experts to modernize the agriculture sector, which accounts for 24 percent of Pakistan’s GDP and employs over 37 percent of its labor force.
“Chinese experts are there to assist us and support us all the way to achieve this wonderful target [of becoming a surplus agricultural economy],” he said. “Now it’s up to us to generate this trade surplus through higher yields, comparative cost and, of course, highest quality.”
Pakistan and China have been expanding cooperation in agriculture under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework, with a focus on mechanization, high-yield seeds, livestock development and value-added food processing.
Officials say stronger agricultural ties could help Pakistan boost exports, ensure food security and create jobs, while offering Chinese companies access to a large farming market and new investment opportunities.
The prime minister noted that Pakistan’s policy rate was down to 10.5 percent down from 22 percent two years ago, exports were gradually increasing and macroeconomic indicators were stable.
“Now we have to move toward growth,” he said. “But then it requires solid, hard work, untiring efforts, blood and sweat. Without that, you will not be able to achieve your targets.”
The Pakistan-China Agriculture Investment Conference focused on technology transfer and joint ventures in farming, food processing and agricultural research.
“I would urge upon Pakistani farmers, Pakistani agri-houses, experts, professors, technicians, that please come forward and show your best to your [Chinese] brothers and sisters,” Sharif said.
“China is ready, ladies and gentlemen, to support Pakistan like always in the past. Let us make use of this opportunity. Let us stand up and accept this challenge and make Pakistan great through untiring efforts, through hard work.”
