RIYADH: The speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, held official talks with Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, in Islamabad on Tuesday.
They discussed relations between their countries, and explored ways in which parliamentary cooperation between their legislative bodies might be enhanced. They also exchanged their views on regional and international issues.
Al-Sheikh’s visit followed an invitation from Sadiq after their countries signed a defense pact during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Saudi Arabia in September. The agreement, which came at a time of heightened tensions in the region, states that any act of aggression against either country would be treated as an attack on both.
Several members of the Shoura Council were also present at the speakers’ meeting, which took place at the National Assembly headquarters, including Khalid Al-Buraik, Ibtisam Al-Jubeir, and Ahmed Al-Wardi, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Earlier, Al-Sheikh was greeted upon arrival at Islamabad International Airport by Sadiq; Nawaf Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan; and senior officials from the National Assembly.
The bilateral diplomatic relationship was established in September 1947, when Saudi Arabia became one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan following its independence. A Treaty of Friendship in 1951 formally cemented bilateral ties and established a partnership that now encompasses diplomatic, economic and military cooperation.
