ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s caretaker commerce minister, Dr. Gohar Ejaz, on Thursday assured Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki of Islamabad’s “unwavering partnership” with the Kingdom in bilateral and regional matters.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy historic fraternal ties and cooperation in various sectors such as trade, economy, culture, and defense. In June, Saudi Arabia deposited $2 billion in Pakistan’s central bank, helping the South Asian country secure a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) crucial to helping Islamabad avoid a sovereign default.
According to a statement from the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Malki called on the Pakistani minister to discuss matters of mutual interest at the Ministry of Commerce.
“The minister commended the Saudi leadership’s visionary approach and assured Ambassador Nawaf of Pakistan’s unwavering partnership and reliability,” APP said.
“Dr. Gohar discussed the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, expressing gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s consistent support in Pakistan’s economic stability and growth.”
Malki laid special emphasis on Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s fraternal bond, APP said, adding that he said relations between the two countries were characterized by mutual trust and cooperation in bilateral and regional matters.
Saudi Arabia has lately shown keen interest in investing in Pakistan’s vital sectors. Earlier this month, a delegation from the Kingdom arrived in Pakistan to explore investment opportunities in the mining sector, aiming to tap into Pakistan’s $6 trillion estimated worth of mineral deposits.
In addition to robust diplomatic ties with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia hosts more than 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, making the Kingdom Pakistan’s largest source of remittances which are crucial in keeping its economy afloat.
