Islamabad :
According to local media reports, Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Saudi Arabia on an official visit where he will discuss further improvement in bilateral relations. The Prime Minister arrived in Jeddah Airport on a three-day visit. This is Prime Minister Imran Khan’s third official visit to Saudi Arabia since then.
The Prime Minister was warmly received by Saudi Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Earlier, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa had met Saudi leaders.
As per the agreement reached after the arrival of the Prime Minister, it was decided to set up a ‘Supreme Coordination Council’ to liaise between the two states.
In addition, memoranda of understanding were signed in the areas of economic cooperation, strategic partnership, trade, investment, energy, environment and media partnership.
Immediately after the arrival of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Crown Prince took him to the Royal Palace where he gave a reception in honor of the Prime Minister.
After a one-on-one meeting with Prince Muhammad bin Salman, a delegation level meeting was held between the two countries. The meeting focused on economy, trade, investment, energy and employment opportunities for Pakistani manpower and welfare of Pakistani community in the country. I considered enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince, accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Senator Faisal Javed.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will also meet the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yusuf Al-Uthaymeen, the Secretary General of the World Muslim League, Muhammad bin Abdul Kareem Al-Issa, and the Imams of the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina.
Imran Khan will also hold talks with members of the Pakistani community in Jeddah. He will perform Umrah in Madinah and pay homage to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Saudi Arabia is home to more than 2 million Pakistanis who have contributed to the development and prosperity of both countries.
Regular high-level bilateral visits play an important role in promoting fraternal relations and close cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The Prime Minister’s visit was preceded by talks between the Pakistani and Saudi military leaderships, during which they discussed bilateral cooperation for regional peace and security.
During the meetings between Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman and Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, various issues were discussed.
According to statements issued by both sides, the focus of the talks during the Army Chief’s visit has been on regional security. Issues of mutual interest and regional security situation were discussed during the meeting.
According to the statement, recent developments in the Afghan peace process, bilateral defense, security, regional peace and co-operation for co-ordination were also discussed during the meeting.
It may be recalled that in August last year, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Saudi Arabia where he met his counterpart in Riyadh and discussed ways to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived at the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to ease diplomatic tensions and restore relations between the two countries.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said in a statement on its website that the army chief was received by Saudi Chief of General Staff Maj. Gen. Fayyaz bin Hamad al-Rawili.
