Saudi defense delegation visits Pakistan’s foreign office for diplomatic briefing

In this handout photograph, taken and released by Pakistan’s foreign office on January 9, 2026, Saudi delegation gesture for a group photo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. (Handout/MoFA)
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Updated 09 January 2026
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Saudi defense delegation visits Pakistan’s foreign office for diplomatic briefing

  • Delegation briefed on Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities and bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia
  • Visit reflects close defense cooperation, including a bilateral security pact signed last year

ISLAMABAD: A Saudi defense delegation visited Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Friday to learn about Islamabad’s diplomatic priorities and engagements as the two countries strengthen security collaboration and consult more closely on regional and international issues.

The visit comes amid sustained high-level engagement between Islamabad and Riyadh, with regular contacts spanning defense, diplomacy and economic cooperation.

A 15-member delegation from the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Command and Staff College met officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said an official statement.

“The visit of the delegation to Pakistan is a manifestation of excellent defense and security relations between the two countries,” the foreign ministry said.

It added that officials briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s foreign policy issues and bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia, followed by an interactive session.

The head of the delegation thanked Pakistani authorities for facilitating the visit, the statement said.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close defense and security cooperation, including training exchanges and joint exercises.

In September last year, the two countries signed a bilateral security agreement under which aggression against one would be treated as a threat to the other.

While Saudi diplomats are regular visitors to the Pakistani foreign ministry, such visits by defense delegations are rare, reflecting that the two sides seek to understand each other’s defense and diplomatic perspectives more closely.


Pakistan PM to join dialogue panel, meet global leaders at World Economic Forum

Updated 21 January 2026
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Pakistan PM to join dialogue panel, meet global leaders at World Economic Forum

  • Sharif to address Pakistan breakfast event and attend informal world leaders’ meeting in Davos
  • Deputy PM Ishaq Dar inaugurates Pakistan Pavilion to display start-ups and investment potential

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to step up Pakistan’s engagement at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, participating in a panel discussion on dialogue in an increasingly divided world and meeting international leaders and heads of global institutions.

Sharif flew to Switzerland a day earlier to attend the WEF’s 56th annual meeting.

The WEF brings together heads of state, senior government officials, business executives and leaders of international organizations to discuss global economic, political and social challenges.

“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will have a busy day in Davos today,” his office said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.

“The prime minister will attend a Pakistan breakfast event and will also address the gathering,” it added. “He will take part in an informal meeting of world leaders this year themed ‘The Importance of Dialogue in a Divided Global Landscape.’”

On the sidelines of the WEF, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is accompanying Sharif, inaugurated the Pathfinder Group’s Pakistan Pavilion, describing it as a platform to project Pakistan’s economic potential and the growing role of innovation-driven enterprises.

“He underscored the critical role of start-ups in advancing socio-economic development and driving innovation across diverse sectors,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the government remained committed to supporting entrepreneurs, particularly youth-led ventures.

Pakistan’s participation at the WEF comes as Islamabad seeks to sustain recent economic stabilization and attract investment by engaging directly with policymakers, business leaders and international institutions at the annual gathering.