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.
Pakistan PM arrives in Saudi Arabia for Umrah following diplomatic odyssey to United Nations
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Pakistan PM arrives in Saudi Arabia for Umrah following diplomatic odyssey to United Nations
- Kakar and his administration are trying to convince foreign business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan
- He praised the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran during his speech at the UN General Assembly
Pakistan says Iraq expressed ‘keen interest’ in JF-17 jets at air chiefs meeting
- Pakistan’s defense sector has drawn growing interest and investment since a four-day standoff with India in May last year
- Many countries have since increased defense engagement, while multiple others have proposed learning from Pakistan’s expertise
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Saturday that Iraq had shown “keen interest” in its JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft at a meeting between chiefs of the two air forces.
Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu called on Lt. Gen. Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, commander of the Iraqi Air Force, during his official visit to Iraq.
The Pakistani air chief was accorded a guard of honor at the Iraqi Air Force headquarters, symbolizing the strong bond of mutual respect, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, with emphasis on joint training, capacity-building and improving operational cooperation,” the ISPR said.
“The Iraqi Air Chief praised PAF’s professionalism and technological advancement, expressed interest in benefiting from PAF’s world-class training and expressed keen interest in JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.”
Pakistan’s defense sector has drawn growing interest and investment, particularly since a four-day India-Pakistan military standoff in May last year. Islamabad claimed victory in the standoff, saying it had shot down six Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. India acknowledged losses but did not specify a number.
Many countries have since stepped up defense engagement with Pakistan, while delegations from multiple other nations have proposed learning from Pakistan Air Force’s multi-domain air warfare capabilities that successfully demonstrated how advanced Chinese military technology performs against Western hardware.
Pakistan markets the Chinese co-developed JF-17 as a lower-cost multi-role fighter and has positioned itself as a supplier able to offer aircraft, training and maintenance outside Western supply chains.
Islamabad is in the final phases of striking a $1.5-billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan in a major boost for Sudan’s army that has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Reuters reported this week, citing a former top air force official and three sources.
The South Asian country reached a deal worth over $4 billion to sell military equipment to the Libyan National Army, Reuters report last month, citing Pakistani officials. The deal, one of Pakistan’s largest-ever weapons sales, included the sale of 16 JF-17 fighter jets and 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft for basic pilot training.
