Pak PM Shehbaz leaves for Saudi Arabia

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday left for Saudi Arabia on his maiden three-day official visit abroad during which he will hold wide-ranging discussions with the top Saudi leadership, with particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties.

The 70-year-old leader was sworn in as Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister on April 11 after his predecessor Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote.

Sharif, who has been invited for the trip by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is accompanied by a high-level delegation including key members of the Cabinet.

“Today I am embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia to renew & reaffirm our bonds of brotherhood & friendship. I will have wide-ranging discussions with Saudi leadership. KSA is one of our greatest friends & as Custodian of the Two Holy Places, has a special place in all our hearts,” Sharif tweeted.

Separately, his office issued a video message of the prime minister. The video, played on all TV channels, showed Sharif making a commitment to take the ties with the kingdom to new heights. On Wednesday, the Foreign Office said that Prime Minister Sharif will have bilateral interaction with the Saudi leadership during the visit, with particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties and creation of greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia.

“This would be the Prime Minister’s first visit abroad after assuming Office earlier this month. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including key members of the Cabinet,” it said.

The two sides will also exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The bilateral relationship is complemented by close mutual collaboration at regional and international fora.

Saudi Arabia is a member of the Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation contact group on Kashmir. In December 2021, Pakistan had taken a USD 3 billion loan from Saudi Arabia on very tough conditions after its official gross foreign exchange reserves dipped below USD 16 billion. Saudi had also approved oil on deferred payment equal to USD 1.2 billion annually. (PTI)