JEDDAH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a four-day official visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation.
The prime minister was warmly received at the airport by Governor of Jeddah, Prince Saud bin Abdullah Jalawi, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq.
Among the prominent figures accompanying PM Shehbaz were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, along with key federal ministers and senior officials.
The visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between the two nations. A press release from the Prime Minister’s Office outlined that the focus would be on boosting economic cooperation and attracting investments. One of the highlights of PM Shehbaz’s trip will be a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The leaders are expected to discuss enhancing trade partnerships, collaboration in various sectors, and other matters of mutual interest.
The evolving situation in Gaza and broader Middle Eastern dynamics are also anticipated to be key topics during the discussions. Issues affecting the Muslim Ummah, in particular, will be central to the talks.
In a statement, the Foreign Office emphasized that the visit would pave the way for a deeper understanding and greater cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas of trade, investment, and diplomatic coordination. The visit underscores the deep-rooted historical relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which continue to evolve in line with the changing global landscape.
PM Shehbaz has made several visits to Saudi Arabia since taking office. His first official visit in April 2024 marked the beginning of closer ties, particularly with the acceleration of a proposed $5 billion Saudi investment package for Pakistan. In the same month, he attended the World Economic Forum’s special meeting on Global Collaboration in Saudi Arabia.
PM Shehbaz also participated in the 8th Future Investment Initiative summit in October and the Water Summit in December 2024, both hosted by Saudi Arabia. This ongoing collaboration reflects the shared commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.
