Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, energy, and security.
Following the meeting, PM Shehbaz expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its continued support of Pakistan. He highlighted that the long-standing ties between the two nations are evolving into deeper economic partnerships driven by a shared vision of prosperity.
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The high-level talks were attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Both sides reaffirmed the significance of their historical relationship and focused on expanding economic, trade, investment, and defense collaboration. PM Shehbaz acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increasing investments in Pakistan’s key sectors.
The two leaders also emphasized enhancing defense and security ties to promote regional stability. Additionally, their discussions covered major geopolitical developments, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine. PM Shehbaz lauded Saudi Arabia’s role in fostering peace and stability both regionally and globally.
MBS Recognizes Pakistani Community’s Role in Saudi Arabia
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia. Both leaders agreed on furthering measures to improve their welfare and strengthen cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Commitment to Stronger Ties
PM Shehbaz and MBS reaffirmed their commitment to elevating their strategic partnership, with a focus on regional stability, economic growth, and mutual prosperity.
PM Shehbaz Arrives in Jeddah for Official Visit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday for a four-day visit aimed at boosting trade and economic collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, he was received by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of Makkah.
During his visit, PM Shehbaz is scheduled to meet MBS to discuss trade promotion, partnerships in key sectors, and broader economic cooperation. This visit follows a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening business ties between the two nations.
$2.8 Billion Agreements Strengthen B2B Collaboration
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been actively fostering business-to-business (B2B) cooperation. During PM Shehbaz’s visit to Riyadh last October, both nations signed 34 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements worth $2.8 billion, aimed at enhancing private-sector collaboration and commercial ventures.
Saudi Arabia remains a key economic partner for Pakistan, not only in trade but also due to its large Pakistani diaspora of 2.7 million people, which contributes the highest share of remittances to Pakistan. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic reforms, which focus on diversification and foreign investment, provide significant opportunities for Pakistani businesses.
Expanding Trade Ties
Last month, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan inaugurated the first-ever solo “Made in Pakistan” exhibition in Jeddah, highlighting the strong trade potential between the two nations. Over the past five years, 1.7 million Pakistani workers have migrated to Saudi Arabia, making it the top destination for Pakistani emigrants.
High-Level Delegation Joins PM Shehbaz
The Prime Minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal ministers, and senior officials. The delegation aims to explore new investment opportunities and expand economic ties with Saudi counterparts.
The Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that this visit will strengthen the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, paving the way for enhanced trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global levels.
