ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday, with the two leaders expected to review bilateral ties, strengthen economic cooperation and exchange views on regional developments, the premier’s office said.

Sharif’s trip comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, following Israel’s Sept. 9 airstrikes in Doha targeting Hamas leaders. The Pakistani leader had also met the crown prince on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic summit in Qatar last week, where he pledged full support for Doha.

The Prime Minister’s Office said Crown Prince Mohammed personally received Sharif at the royal court, where he was greeted with a guard of honor by Saudi armed forces. 

“During the bilateral meeting, all aspects of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations will be reviewed in detail,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.”

The statement added that progress on enhancing cooperation in various sectors is expected during Sharif’s visit.

Back in Islamabad, the city’s red zone, home to embassies and government buildings including parliament, the presidency and the supreme court, was lit up in green and decorated with posters celebrating Pak-Saudi “brotherhood.”

Saudi Arabia remains a critical economic and strategic partner for Pakistan. In October last year, the two sides signed 34 agreements and memoranda of understanding worth $2.8 billion, aimed at boosting private sector collaboration and commercial partnerships.

The Kingdom has also extended vital support to Pakistan during economic crises in the past, including external financing and assistance tied to International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs.

Saudi Arabia is the largest source of remittances for Pakistan, with more than 2.5 million expatriates sending money home — a key lifeline for Islamabad’s fragile $350 billion economy.