RIYADH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and exchanged Eid greetings with him and discussed ways to deepen the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
According to the Saudi media, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also present during the meeting, reports Geo News.
The discussions focused on expanding cooperation across various sectors.
The crown prince personally received Shehbaz and drove him to the royal lunch hosted in his honour at the Royal Court.
They also reviewed regional developments and the efforts being made to enhance security and stability in the region. The lunch was attended by key Middle Eastern leaders, Saudi cabinet members and top military and civilian officials.
The two leaders also shared a warm, informal conversation during the gathering. Shehbaz also met with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The meeting reaffirmed the deep-rooted, strategic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar.
On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, Shehbaz extended warm Eid greetings to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman and commended the Kingdom’s hospitality and service to the pilgrims from around the world who are in Saudi Arabia to perform Haj.
He expressed gratitude for the remarkable efforts of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince in ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage experience.
The prime minister appreciated the Kingdom’s proactive role during the recent tensions between Pakistan and India, and its steadfast commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond. He underscored Pakistan’s policy of responsible restraint in the face of Indian aggression, emphasizing that sustainable peace in South Asia is achievable only through dialogue.
The two leaders also held detailed discussions on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. They stressed the imperative for the international community to fulfill its moral and legal obligations and reiterated their unwavering support for a just and durable resolution to the Palestinian question, grounded in the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and security domains.
Both leaders agreed to further elevate this strategic partnership in accordance with the shared vision of the leadership and aspirations of the brotherly people of the two countries.
Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to deepening the multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended a cordial invitation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, which the Crown Prince graciously accepted.
Earlier on Thursday, Shehbaz, accompanied by Field Marshal Asim Munir and a high-level delegation, performed Umrah. The doors of the Holy Kaaba were especially opened for the delegation.
They also offered Nawafil and expressed gratitude to Allah Almighty on the victory of “Bunyanum Marsoos”. They offered prayers of thanks for Pakistan’s recent achievements in economic and public welfare domains and also made special supplications for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Prayers were also offered for the oppressed Muslim sisters and brothers of Kashmir and Palestine.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also accompanied the prime minister.
