( Asghar Ali Mubarak )
ISLAMABAD (TNS) In the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Prince Muhammad bin Salman, satisfaction has been expressed over the increasing economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. It should be noted that in a statement released on social media after the meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince, the Prime Minister had said that he met with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman in Riyadh, in which constructive talks were held to promote mutual cooperation, and talks were held on increasing cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, energy and security. The Prime Minister had said that he is grateful to the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s continuous cooperation with Pakistan. Mutual relations are strengthening thanks to friendly relations and a shared vision for prosperity. Strong bilateral relations are transforming into a mutual economic partnership, while Saudi Arabia’s role for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine is commendable. The Prime Minister of Pakistan arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday along with a delegation on a 4-day visit, where the Deputy Governor of Mecca, Prince Saud, welcomed the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Salman, in which bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest were discussed. Army Chief General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were also present. The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Prince Muhammad bin Salman also discussed the regional and international situation, while Pak-Saudi investment and trade issues were discussed.
The Prime Minister and the Saudi Crown Prince emphasized the importance of the strong and historic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while the meeting discussed increasing cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, energy and defense sectors. The Prime Minister appreciated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increasing investment in key sectors, while the two leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening defense and security cooperation. Shehbaz Sharif and Muhammad bin Salman discussed the regional situation as well as the political scenario of the region and agreed to work together to promote a shared vision for stability and prosperity in the region. On this occasion, Prince Mohammad bin Salman acknowledged the outstanding services of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and agreed to increase measures for the welfare of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the meeting reaffirmed the commitment to take mutual partnership to new heights, including emphasizing further strengthening people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and educational cooperation. According to a statement issued by the Media Wing of the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his delegation, visited the Prophet’s Mosque (PBUH) and had the privilege of visiting the Shrine of the Prophet (PBUH). The doors of Riyadh Al-Jannah were opened exclusively for the Prime Minister and his delegation, where they performed voluntary prayers. The Prime Minister prayed for the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah and the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently on a four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, during which he also met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. In the meeting, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to further strengthen defense and security cooperation and the two countries reiterated their commitment to take their mutual partnership to new heights. Rain fell in many cities of Saudi Arabia, which not only made the weather pleasant but also brought spiritual peace to the pilgrims. Spiritual scenes were seen during the rain in Masjid Al-Haram, where Umrah pilgrims performed worship and circumambulation with great enthusiasm. Despite the torrential rain, the number of Umrah pilgrims did not decrease, and they remained busy in worshipping in the house of Allah even in the rain. The Saudi Meteorological Department has issued an alert of heavy rains in and around Mecca and has advised citizens not to leave their homes unnecessarily. This mercy of rain not only beautified the weather, but also proved to be a special spiritual moment for the pilgrims, where worship and being immersed in the pleasure of Allah was a new experience. It should be noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the special dialogue and gala dinner of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman in the Saudi capital Riyadh on April 29, 2024. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister discussed various issues with the Crown Prince. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also congratulated the Saudi leadership on the successful holding of the special session of the World Economic Forum and also mentioned the recent meeting held in Mecca during the holy month of Ramadan. The Prime Minister also thanked the Crown Prince for sending a high-level delegation led by the Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan. The Prime Minister had said that he had come to Riyadh with a high-powered delegation, which also included ministers responsible for investment. The meeting also discussed the regional situation, especially the Gaza crisis. The Prime Minister also reiterated his invitation to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to pay an official visit to Pakistan soon. It should be noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on April 28-29.Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif met with Saudi ministers on the sidelines of the special session of the World Economic Forum and discussed trade, economic and investment issues between the two countries. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister was met by Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih. The Saudi Minister of Investment had declared the Prime Minister as the ‘Prime Minister of Action’. The Saudi Minister of Investment said that we are all aware of your performance and pace of work, you are carrying out Pakistan’s development mission, we are all with you, your mission is our mission, Pakistan is our priority in terms of investment. The Saudi Minister of Investment said that full cooperation will continue in the sectors of agriculture, IT and energy, Pakistanis have played a significant role in the development of various sectors of Saudi Arabia in the past. It was agreed in the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Saudi Minister that Saudi Arabia will explore more investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Saudi Finance Minister Muhammad Al Jadan had reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for Pakistan’s economic development in his meeting with the Prime Minister. The Saudi Finance Minister said that Pakistan’s development is Saudi Arabia’s development, Saudi Arabia has made reforms and difficult decisions at the government level related to Vision 2030. According to the statement, Saudi Industry Minister Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khairif also met the Prime Minister. In the meeting, the Saudi Industry Minister expressed deep interest in agriculture, minerals, IT and other sectors. The Saudi Industry Minister said that he is in touch with Saudi private companies regarding investment in Pakistan, and cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries is one of our top priorities. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Saudi King and Crown Prince for supporting Pakistan in every difficulty. The Prime Minister said that during my previous government, our economic conditions have improved due to Saudi support and assistance, and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are strategic partners of each other. It should be noted that earlier on April 27, 2024, a delegation led by Advisor to the Royal Court and General Secretary of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council, Muhammad bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Saudi Arabia. According to the statement, the meeting discussed matters of mutual interest in detail and both sides expressed extraordinary enthusiasm for further promoting economic relations. The meeting reviewed the progress made on Saudi investment in Pakistan during the visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan along with the delegation. The Saudi delegation expressed deep interest on the part of the Saudi government and companies in Saudi investment in Pakistan. On this occasion, Muhammad bin Mazyad said that after the visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan, work has been started on priority basis for Saudi investment in Pakistan, and work has been started on investment in Pakistan on a war footing, which includes investment from both the public and private sectors. In the meeting, the Prime Minister of Pakistan was given a detailed briefing on the reform agenda of the Saudi government. The Prime Minister said that we want to benefit from the experience of the Saudi government’s successful reform policy in building Pakistan’s governance structure on modern lines, and are moving ahead at lightning speed on the progress made during the Saudi delegation’s visit to Pakistan. It may be recalled that Muhammad bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri is in charge of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He had briefed the Prime Minister of Pakistan in detail about Vision 2030.
