ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Saudi Arabia from October 23 to October 25, where he would hold talks on advancing trade and economic ties with the Saudi leadership and business persons, the Pakistani foreign office said on Friday.

The Pakistani premier is visiting the Kingdom on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This will be his second visit to Saudi Arabia this year. He visited the Kingdom last in May and signed several agreements.

PM Khan, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will attend the launch ceremony of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit in Riyadh. The initiative, which aims to increase reliance on clean energy, offset the impact of fossil fuels and combat climate change, is the first of its kind in the Middle East region.

“The prime minister will have bilateral interaction with the Saudi leadership, with particular focus on advancing economic and trade relations; creating more opportunities for Pakistani workforce; and welfare of the Pakistani diaspora in the Kingdom. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.

“During the visit, the prime minister will also participate in an event on promotion of investment in Pakistan and interact with leading investors and businessmen from Saudi Arabia and Pakistani diaspora in the Kingdom.”

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support. The Kingdom is home to more than two million Pakistanis, contributing toward the progress and prosperity of both countries.

The relationship is marked by frequent high-level visits, close cooperation in all fields, and mutual collaboration on regional and international issues, including at the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.

The visit will carry forward the positive momentum of cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the foreign office added.

“There will be a bilateral meeting with the crown prince along with different meetings with Saudi government officials,” Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, his adviser on the Middle East, told Arab News earlier this week.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on green and clean cooperation, he added.