ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed his condolences to the Saudi royal family over the recent passing of Prince Mishaal bin Badr bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. 

The Saudi Royal Court announced the death of Prince Mishaal bin Badr’s mother on Saturday. Her funeral prayers were held a day later, at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in Riyadh after Asr prayers. 

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of the mother of Prince Mishaal bin Badr bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X. 

He prayed for the highest rank in paradise for the departed and hoped the royal family would be able to bear the loss with fortitude. 

“Our prayers are with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the entire Royal Family in this moment of profound grief,” Sharif added. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close allies that cooperate in several sectors such as defense, trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, mines and minerals and others. The two countries signed a landmark defense pact in September, according to which both agreed to treat an attack on one country as an attack against both of them. 

Apart from being a vital trade ally, Saudi Arabia also serves as the top source for foreign remittances for Pakistan, where over 2 million expatriates reside.