ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia since assuming the top political office of his country on Thursday, confirmed the foreign ministry on Wednesday.
Sharif, 70, is the younger brother of former premier Nawaz Sharif. He was elected as prime minister on April 11 following a constitutional crisis that culminated in the ouster of Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to him over the phone on April 16 to congratulate him and invited Sharif to visit the kingdom during their conversation.
“On the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 28-30 April 2022,” said the foreign office.
The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key members of the cabinet.
“During the visit, the Prime Minister will have bilateral interaction with the Saudi leadership, with particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties and creation of greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia,” the statement said.
The two sides will also exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Pakistan has deep-rooted ties with Saudi Arabia, with nearly 2.5 million of its nationals living in the kingdom, contributing to the progress, prosperity and economic development of the two brotherly countries.
“The Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia will impart a strong impetus to deepening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields and further reinforce the growing partnership between the two countries,” the statement said.
PM Sharif to embark on three-day visit to Saudi Arabia from Thursday
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PM Sharif to embark on three-day visit to Saudi Arabia from Thursday
- This will be Shehbaz Sharif’s first foreign visit after he was elected prime minister on April 11
- Saudi crown prince invited Sharif to visit the kingdom after congratulating him on phone
Pakistan urges pilgrims to complete Saudi biometrics as Hajj preparations gain pace
- Government warns pilgrims biometric verification is required for Hajj visas
- Step follows tighter oversight after last year’s Hajj travel disruptions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Friday urged aspiring pilgrims to complete mandatory Saudi biometric verification for Hajj visas, as preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage gather pace following stricter oversight of the Hajj process.
The announcement comes only a day after Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said regulations for private Hajj operators had been tightened, reducing their quota following widespread complaints last year, when tens of thousands of pilgrims were unable to travel under the private Hajj scheme.
“Saudi biometric verification is mandatory for the issuance of Hajj visas,” the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement, urging pilgrims to complete the process promptly to avoid delays.
“Hajj pilgrims should complete their biometric verification at home using the ‘Saudi Visa Bio’ app as soon as possible,” it added.
The statement said the pilgrims who were unable to complete biometric verification through the mobile application should visit designated Saudi Tasheer centers before Feb. 8, adding that details of the centers were available on Pakistan’s official Hajj mobile application.
Pakistan has been steadily implementing digital and procedural requirements for pilgrims ahead of Hajj 2026, including mandatory training sessions, biometric checks and greater use of mobile applications, as part of efforts to reduce mismanagement.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, with the majority of seats reserved under the government scheme and the remainder allocated to private tour operators.
