ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jillani on Thursday discussed bilateral trade, investment, and relations with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, a statement by the foreign office spokesperson said.
Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Saudi Arabia, which is also home to over 2 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the largest source of remittances for the South Asian country.
In June, Saudi Arabia helped Pakistan avoid a sovereign default by depositing $2 billion with the State Bank of Pakistan, helping the South Asian country secure a $3 billion bailout program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The same month, Pakistan set up a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to attract investment in various sectors, particularly from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
According to the foreign office, Malki called on Jillani to congratulate him on assuming charge as Pakistan's caretaker foreign minister and conveyed the best wishes of the Saudi leadership for the Pakistani minister.
"Views were exchanged on bilateral relations, trade, and investment during the meeting," a foreign office spokesperson stated.
Jillani earlier met Pakistan's Ambassador-designate to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu. During the meeting, Jillani conveyed the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with Iran, the foreign office said.
