ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Al-Safa Palace in Makkah on Sunday, with both leaders resolving to further strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on a three-day official visit on Saturday, his first foreign trip as Pakistan’s chief executive since his election to the post last month. He is accompanied by his niece and Punjab chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, as well as the ministers of finance, foreign affairs, economic affairs, defense and information.
The Pakistani premier and his delegation were invited to the palace for iftar by the Saudi crown prince, the PMO said. During the meeting, Sharif conveyed his best wishes and prayers for the health and well-being of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Pakistani premier was dressed in the ihram, indicating that he will perform Umrah while in Makkah.
“Both leaders appreciated the upward trajectory of longstanding fraternal relations,” the PMO said. “The two leaders reaffirmed common resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties.”
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (center) meets Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) and Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa in his palace on the eve of 29th Ramadan, during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on April 7, 2024. (Saudi Press Agency)
After iftar, Sharif held a one-on-one meeting with the Saudi crown prince, the PMO said.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (third right) offers prayer with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (second right) in his palace on the eve of 29th Ramadan, during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on April 7, 2024. (Saudi Press Agency)
Sharif last traveled to Saudi Arabia during his first term as PM in October 2022. He met the crown prince during that visit and also attended the Saudi Future Investment Initiative Summit.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top destination for remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Saudi Arabia has often come to cash-strapped Pakistan’s aid by regularly providing the South Asian country oil on deferred payment facilities and offering direct financial support to help stabilize its economy, shore up its foreign exchange reserves.
