Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Business and Military Ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss enhancing bilateral relations, focusing on military cooperation, trade, and investment. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with growing economic ties and emphasized welfare measures for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia. The four-day visit aims to strengthen collaboration in various sectors.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to enhance bilateral relations, focusing on military and security cooperation. The meeting included key figures such as Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. State leaders aimed to solidify ties through trade, investment, energy, and security, highlighting economic partnerships between the two nations.

During this high-level meeting, the leaders explored mutual interests, particularly in military collaboration. PM Shehbaz commended Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increasing investment in Pakistan’s critical sectors, stating, “Our enduring friendship & shared vision for prosperity is taking our bilateral relations to new heights…” He acknowledged the crown prince for Saudi Arabia’s essential role in promoting peace in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Acknowledgment was also made by MBS regarding the valuable contributions of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia. Both leaders agreed on enhancing welfare measures for this community and emphasized strengthening cultural exchanges and educational cooperation.

PM Shehbaz’s visit, occurring from March 19 to 22, follows an invitation from the crown prince and reflects prior engagements, including his participation in the Future Investment Initiative in October 2024. Previous agreements worth over $2 billion were established between Islamabad and Riyadh to improve trade and investment.

Overall, this official visit is anticipated to fortify the Pakistani-Saudi partnership, expanding collaboration across multiple sectors and enhancing the socio-economic prospects of both countries.

In summary, the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signifies a commitment to bolstering Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations through military cooperation and economic partnerships. Their discussions highlighted key investments and welfare initiatives for the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia, aiming to elevate bilateral ties to unprecedented levels.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk