ISLAMABAD: Pakistan called for deeper economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia on Friday as the Kingdom’s Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan visited Islamabad for talks with the top Pakistani leadership.
The visit, the first by a senior Saudi official since a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, comes as Islamabad is scheduled to hold peace talks between Iranian and US officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country wanted stronger economic ties across key sectors.
“The Prime Minister emphasized Pakistan’s strong commitment to expanding its cooperation with the Kingdom in all spheres, particularly in trade, investment, and economic development,” his office said in a statement circulated after he met the Saudi minister.
Sharif highlighted the depth of the ties between the two countries.
“The Prime Minister reiterated that the people and Government of Pakistan had always stood shoulder to shoulder with their Saudi brothers and sisters at all times,” the statement said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remained in close contact during the war in Iran after they signed a joint security pact last year under which aggression against one is viewed as a threat to both.
Saudi Arabia has also played a key role in supporting Pakistan’s economy through financial assistance and investment, as the two countries have steadily broadened cooperation across economic, defense and political spheres.
Senior Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, attended the meeting, which focused on strengthening economic collaboration and long-term partnership.
Al-Jadaan reaffirmed the Kingdom’s resolve to further strengthen the longstanding and deep-rooted bond between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to the statement.
