ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Friday and discussed bilateral cooperation, appreciating the Kingdom for facilities for pilgrims during this month’s Hajj, Pakistani state media said.
More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj this year, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to Saudi Hajj authorities. Among them were around 160,000 Pakistanis.
During a meeting with the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Dar “appreciated the facilities extended by Saudi Arabia to Hujjaj during the Hajj.”
The two leaders also discussed “bilateral cooperation and key areas of mutual interest and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen their strategic bilateral partnership.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close diplomatic ties and the Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Dar also separately met United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidon on Friday.
Pakistan deputy PM meets Saudi envoy, appreciates facilities for pilgrims during Hajj
https://arab.news/ztsse
Pakistan deputy PM meets Saudi envoy, appreciates facilities for pilgrims during Hajj
- Over 1.83 million Muslims performed Hajj this year
- Among them were around 160,000 Pakistanis
Pakistan say Australia ‘best’ World Cup preparation amid participation doubts
- Pakistan will decide whether it will participate in upcoming T20 World Cup or not
- Australia arrived in Pakistan today for three-match T20I series starting Thursday
LAHORE: Pakistan take on Australia in a three-match Twenty20 international series starting in Lahore from Thursday, despite doubts over their participation in next month’s World Cup in cricket’s shortest format.
The country’s cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi will announce a final decision on taking part in the mega event either on Friday or Monday.
Pakistan are protesting over last week’s decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which rejected Bangladesh’s demand to relocate their matches out of India over security fears.
Bangladesh are replaced by Scotland in the 20-team event, which runs from February 7 to March 8 with Sri Lanka as co-hosts.
However, despite the doubts, the Pakistan team was preparing for the World Cup with skipper Salman Agha stressing the importance of the Australia series.
“These three games will give us an idea how prepared we are for the World Cup,” Agha told a news conference on Wednesday. “Australia is a top team and will give us the best final preparations.”
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside defending world champions India, the United States, Namibia and the Netherlands.
Pakistan’s spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to full fitness after injuring his knee in the Big Bash League in Australia this month.
“We need to see how many boxes we tick in the series which are important for the World Cup as we aim to do well and win the Cup,” Agha said.
A 17-member Australian squad led by Mitchell Marsh arrived in Lahore early on Wednesday, with the last two matches set for January 31 and February 1.
The Australians are without the injured quartet of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis, while allrounder Glenn Maxwell was rested to manage workload.
Marsh still believes Australia were ready for the World Cup tune-up series.
“These are very important times in both teams’ preparations for the World Cup,” said Marsh, whose team will be in Group B with Sri Lanka, Oman, Ireland and Zimbabwe.
“This is a very important series as the conditions are similar and that is against a quality side, so we will assess the situation and be clear about our plans ahead.”
