Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a high-stakes, day-long official visit, where he is slated to engage in pivotal discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on deepening Pakistan-Saudi relations and addressing pressing regional and international matters.
The trip comes at the personal invitation of the Crown Prince, as announced by the Foreign Office. Accompanying Sharif are key cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Environment Minister Musadik Malik, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi.
In the centerpiece of the itinerary, Sharif and the Crown Prince will convene for a comprehensive bilateral meeting to assess the full scope of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties. "The leaders are anticipated to share perspectives on regional and global developments of mutual concern," the Foreign Office statement outlined. "This engagement is poised to culminate in formalized agreements across various sectors, underscoring both nations' dedication to amplifying their enduring fraternal alliance."
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The longstanding bond between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia—forged on common religious foundations, cultural affinities, and unwavering mutual support—stands as a cornerstone of regional diplomacy. This visit offers a prime platform for the duo to fortify this exceptional partnership and unlock fresh collaborative opportunities, ultimately serving the shared aspirations of their populations.
Marking Sharif's third foray into the Gulf region in just seven days, the Saudi trip follows back-to-back visits to Qatar on Thursday and Monday. Those journeys were aimed at extending Pakistan's solidarity to Doha in the wake of Israel's strikes on Hamas leadership within the country, coupled with participation in an urgent summit of Arab-Islamic states addressing the escalating crisis.
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