Pakistan PM arrives in Saudi Arabia for Umrah following diplomatic odyssey to United Nations

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after wrapping up his official tour to New York where he addressed the 78th United Nations General Assembly session before flying to London for a few days.
Kakar and his administration officials have been trying to convince business leaders around the world to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan after the country set up the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military forum, to attract foreign funding amid mounting financial challenges.
He achieved a historic milestone as the first caretaker prime minister of his country to address the annual UNGA session in New York, where he tackled various global issues, spanning from extremist violence and relations with India to the escalating challenges of climate change and Islamophobia.
“Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has reached Madinah Munawara on a private tour,” his office announced in a brief statement on Wednesday night.
“Governor of Medina Faisal bin Salman warmly welcomed him at the Royal Terminal of Medina Airport along with Ambassador of Pakistan Ahmad Farooq, other senior officers of the Pakistani embassy and consulate general in Jeddah,” it added.
The prime minister visited the Grand Mosque in Madinah and paid his respects at the shrine of the Prophet (PBUH).
He also toured the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization and applauded the Saudi authorities for preserving the rich heritage of Islam.
The management of the museum also presented him with a shield and books while he watched various items displayed at the facility.
The prime minister is scheduled to leave for Makkah today to perform Umrah. He is also expected to meet high-ranking Saudi officials during his stay in the kingdom.
It may be recalled that Kakar applauded the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran while commenting on the overall strategic situation in the Middle East during his UNGA address.
“Pakistan welcomes the progress made toward ending the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, in particular we warmly welcome the normalization of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he told the world body.