ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan is likely to begin his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s invitation ahead of his trip to the United States, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr. Muhammad Faisal told Arab News on Saturday.

“The visit is not officially announced yet,” he said. “As per my latest unofficial information, the PM will visit Saudi Arabia on September 19 … but a formal confirmation is awaited and we will issue a press release [after that].”

The prime minister is also expected to be accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafiz Shaikh and Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood.

Khan’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia will take place at a crucial time for Pakistan when its administration is trying to garner support for its narrative on Kashmir after India abolished the limited constitutional autonomy of the disputed Himalayan territory on August 5.

New Delhi’s move elicited strong reaction from Pakistan that downgraded its diplomatic relations with India, expelled its high commissioner in Islamabad and ended the minuscule trade between the two countries.

In a diplomatic flurry, the country also briefed its allies on the issue and managed to convince the United Nations Security Council to convene a special session on Kashmir wherein the top world powers discussed New Delhi’s unilateral decision to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the Indian union.

Recently, the prime minister also addressed a public rally in Muzaffarabad where he told the people he would present Kashmir’s case more forcefully than ever before to the United Nations General Assembly on September 27.

Khan will fly to the US after concluding his trip to Saudi Arabia. According to Dr. Faisal, he is also expected to “visit Saudi Arabia on his way back to Pakistan after [the] UNGA [session].”

The Kingdom and its Gulf ally, the United Arab Emirates, have always maintained strong diplomatic relations with Pakistan. Yet, Islamabad’s bond with these countries further broadened and deepened after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf administration took over political control of the country after last year’s general elections.

Ever since, Saudi Arabia and the UAE gave financial relief packages to Pakistan to bolster its dwindling economy. The Kingdom also pledged to invest $21 billion in the South Asian state during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to Islamabad in February this year.