ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan has been postponed while the new dates for his trip to the country would be mutually finalized by both sides, Pakistan’s foreign office confirmed on Saturday.
The Saudi crown prince was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 21 on his second official trip to the country. During the first in 2019, the two countries signed investment deals worth $21 billion, including for an oil refinery.
“The visit [of the crown prince] is being rescheduled. The new dates will be mutually finalized by the two sides,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson, said in a statement.
Separately, Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said in a video message that the Saudi crown prince would always be treated as an honoured guest of Pakistan whenever he arrives in the country.
“I would request all friends not to be influenced by rumours and propaganda and consider the facts,” Ashrafi said. “This visit is not being postponed due to Pakistan’s external matters but the Saudi crown prince has delayed it according to his schedule and program."
Ashrafi said the Saudi crown prince would soon visit Pakistan and the people of the South Asian country would receive him warmly.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy deep-rooted ties in culture and faith. The two countries have an important history of collaborating in the fields of business, economy, investment and defense.
