Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki hand over food packages during the launch of the third phase of the Food Security Support project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy: X/@KSAembassyPK)
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Updated 08 July 2025
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Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

  • Pakistan proposes joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency
  • It highlights commitment to climate-adaptive agriculture amid environmental degradation

KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to invest in agricultural research and storage infrastructure as part of a broader push for sustainable food security, according to an official statement.

The call was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad, following the launch ceremony of the third phase of the Saudi Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

“Rana Tanveer Hussain shared Pakistan’s long-term vision for achieving sustainable food security through investment in agricultural research, innovation and modernized farming systems,” said the statement circulated after the meeting.

“The Minister proposed deeper collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in key areas such as joint agricultural research, technological exchange and investment in food processing and storage infrastructure,” it added.

Hussain also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to improving irrigation practices and promoting climate-adaptive agriculture to address the growing challenges posed by environmental degradation.

He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agri-based projects, particularly in high-yield zones, and called for institutional cooperation between universities and research centers in both countries.

The minister also proposed joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency, describing them as high-impact areas for regional collaboration.

Earlier, he distributed food baskets to families under the Saudi Food Security Support Project and interacted with recipients.

Now in its third phase, the Saudi-backed initiative is delivering essential food supplies to thousands of households across Pakistan, providing much-needed relief amid climate-related challenges.


China’s mediation eases fighting between Pakistan, Afghanistan — sources

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China’s mediation eases fighting between Pakistan, Afghanistan — sources

  • China’s envoy shuttles between Pakistan and Afghanistan to mediate in conflict
  • Gulf countries that mediated in the past embroiled in Middle East conflict

ISLAMABAD/BEIJING: Chinese mediation efforts, including a message from ​President Xi Jinping, have helped ease the worst fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, three Pakistani government officials said.

The officials said a meeting between the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late last month included a message from Xi to cease hostilities.

Neither side has reported any Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan in recent days and ground fighting along the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border has tapered off, although daily clashes continue to be reported.

China has said it is ‌in contact ‌with both countries about ending hostilities but Mosharraf Zaidi, a ​spokesman ‌for ⁠Sharif who ​has previously ⁠said there would not be any talks with the Taliban, did not respond to questions about Beijing’s efforts.

Pakistani security officials have said the military campaign will continue until desired goals were achieved, which was to prevent militant attacks in Pakistan launched from Afghan soil.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry and military did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Islamabad launched air strikes on Afghanistan on February 26, saying the Taliban were providing a safe haven to ⁠militants carrying out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul denies the charge ‌and says militancy in Pakistan is an internal problem.

The ‌Chinese efforts came as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and ​Turkiye, who hosted talks between Pakistan and ‌Afghanistan during previous clashes in October, have been embroiled in the war in the Middle ‌East following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

“China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Affairs is currently shuttling between the two countries to mediate, while Chinese embassies in both nations maintain close communication with the respective parties,” the Chinese foreign ministry told Reuters in an email.

“The most urgent task ‌is to prevent the fighting from expanding and for the two countries to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.”

The ⁠foreign ministry added ⁠that Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday to discuss the conflict.

China’s ambassador to Kabul, Zhao Xing, and the special envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi this week, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have said they inflicted heavy damage on the other in the conflict and killed hundreds of opposition troops, without providing evidence. Reuters has not been able to verify the reports.

Beijing, a longtime Pakistani ally, has invested heavily in mines and minerals in both nations.

The investments include over $65 billion in road, rail and other development projects in Pakistan, part ​of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative to ​expand land and sea trade routes to Europe and Africa.