ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met with Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair, in Lahore and told him that his visit would further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Sharif’s office said.
Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair arrived on a seven-day visit to Pakistan on Thursday. Since his arrival, the Imam of Prophet’s Mosque has met President Asif Ali Zardari, Army Chief General Asim Munir, and has led Friday prayers at Shah Faisal Mosque in the federal capital.
During their meeting, PM Sharif told Sheikh Salah that his visit was an “honor” for the South Asian country and expressed his best wishes for King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Sharif’s office.
“The people of Pakistan have immense respect for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leadership,” Sharif’s office quoted him as telling the Imam of Prophet’s Mosque. “Your visit will further improve relations between the two countries.”
The Prophet’s Mosque, more popularly known as Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, holds profound historical and spiritual significance in Islam, having been built by the first Muslim community under the supervision of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
It is also his last resting place, making imams of this sacred mosque deeply respected across the Muslim world and widely viewed as embodiments of religious devotion and scholarly wisdom.
During the meeting, Sheikh Salah expressed his gratitude to the premier for the hospitality accorded to him in Pakistan, according to Sharif’s office. The meeting was also attended by members of PM Sharif’s cabinet and Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong economic, defense and religious ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Pakistan has also been frequently visited by the prayer leader of the Grand Mosque in Makkah in the past. These visits, along with high-level official exchanges, have played a significant role in strengthening the relations between the two countries.
Saudi religious scholars, such as the prayer leaders of the two holy mosques, have fostered closer ties between the two countries, with many of them often taking a special interest in Islamic education and religious institutions in Pakistan.
Sheikh Salah is also scheduled to meet prominent Pakistani scholars and visit universities during his stay in the South Asian country.
PM says visit of Imam of Prophet’s Mosque to further strengthen Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties
https://arab.news/mgdph
PM says visit of Imam of Prophet’s Mosque to further strengthen Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties
- Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair arrived on a seven-day visit to Pakistan on Thursday
- He is also scheduled to meet prominent Pakistani scholars and visit universities during his stay
Pakistan PM speaks to UAE president, calls for enhanced cooperation
- Shehbaz Sharif lauds UAE’s economic support in challenging times
- Both leaders discuss a range of issues, agree to stay in close contact
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday praised the United Arab Emirates for what he described as steadfast financial and political support during Islamabad’s recent economic crisis, as both sides signaled plans to deepen bilateral cooperation.
In a statement issued after Sharif spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to stay in close contact.
“The Prime Minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan, that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” the statement said, adding the two leaders “reaffirmed their shared desire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.”
The UAE, along with other friendly nations in the region, provided critical financial assistance to the South Asian country during a balance-of-payments crisis that strained Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and pressured its currency. Islamabad subsequently secured an International Monetary Fund program as part of broader stabilization efforts.
Sharif, in a post on X, described the exchange as positive.
“We fondly recalled our recent meetings and reaffirmed our shared resolve to further strengthen the historic, fraternal ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” he wrote.
Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, forming one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf state.
Remittances from the UAE rank among Pakistan’s top sources of foreign currency inflows and play a significant role in supporting the country’s external accounts.
UAE-based companies are also investing in Pakistan, helping Islamabad develop its seaports to facilitate regional trade.
