JEDDAH - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, reaffirming their intention to stand by each other at all times, expressed their desire to further enhance and diversify bilateral cooperation and to continue close coordination on issues of mutual interest.

Based on their decades-old fraternal ties, both the countries expressed complete solidarity with each other in their efforts at preserving their sovereignty and territorial integrity, said a statement issued by Foreign Office at the conclusion of two-day state visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia.

The prime minister, who was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Finance Asad Umar, Minister for Information Fawad Ahmed, and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood visited the Kingdom at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The Prime Minister was received by His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, at his Palace in Jeddah, where he was presented with a guard of honour and a state banquet was hosted for him and his entourage. In the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relationship, the regional and global political situation and the issues confronting the Muslim Ummah.

Imran also discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral trade, investment and stronger economic ties.

During the visit, the prime minister also held a meeting with His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, who hosted a dinner in his honour. The two leaders accompanied by their ministers and senior officials, held detailed discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relationship and on the regional political and security situation.

They exchanged ideas on enhancing cooperation in political, defence, economic, commercial and cultural sectors, developing joint ventures in line with their respective developmental needs, strengthening collaboration in human resource sector and addressing the issues faced by Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their historical and brotherly ties, rooted in bonds of common religion, shared culture and values and quest for regional and global peace and security. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the convergence of views on a host of regional and global issues, as well as the issues faced by Ummah.

Pakistan praised the Saudi leadership on a smooth and successful organisation of Haj this year, and acknowledged the eminent position of respect and reverence among the Ummah, enjoyed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz. It also commended the visionary leadership of His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, who was leading Saudi Arabia towards a modern and developed economy.

The Saudi leadership congratulated Pakistan on its successful democratic transition, in a peaceful and fair manner, and felicitated the Prime Minister on his election.

Appreciating the prime minister’s ideal of transforming his country into a welfare state based on Islamic socio-economic principles, the Saudi leadership assured Pakistan of its maximum assistance. Pakistan thanked Saudi Arabia for its steadfast and continued support.

The Prime Minister briefed the Saudi leadership on Pakistan’s successes and sacrifices in its fight against terrorism, highlighting the role of actors trying to destabilise Pakistan. Imran strongly rejected the efforts to promote religious extremism, sectarianism and terrorism.

The Saudi leadership apprised the prime minister of the steps taken by the Kingdom to curb extremism and terrorism, and shared views on the forces spreading extremist ideologies in the region.

The two countries acknowledged each other’s efforts and sacrifices and pledged to continue their partnership to defeat the scourge of extremism and terrorism. They agreed on the need to promote peace and security to ensure progress, development and prosperity. In that regard, they also agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as their collaboration at the regional and multilateral forums.

The prime minister informed the Saudi leadership about the plight of the Muslims of Indian-occupied Kashmir, suffering grievous human rights violations. Mentioning the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the human rights violations in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he stressed the need for Islamic solidarity and unity in raising the issue forcefully at the UN Human Rights Council.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the just struggle of the Palestinian people to restore their rights and achieve the independence of the state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also stressed that the international community must respect the just struggle of the people living under foreign occupation and the legitimate right to self-determination, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

With a view to developing tangible and meaningful bilateral cooperation in key areas, the two countries agreed to intensify consultations and coordination in order to strengthen their strategic partnership.

Imran invited the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman at an early date. The offer was graciously accepted, in principle, by the Saudi leadership.

In an interview with Al Arabiya News Channel, Imran Khan reaffirmed Islamabad’s support to Saudi Arabia. “Anyone who comes to power in Pakistan will visit Saudi Arabia first,” Khan said. “Saudi Arabia has in the past helped Pakistan when Pakistan has been in need,” he added.

Imran Khan also held a series of meetings, including with the Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih.

 

HOLY KAABA’S DOOR OPENED FOR PM

 

Prime Minister Imran Khan performed Umrah in the wee hours of Wednesday at the Masjid-al-Haram and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

The doors of the Holy Kaaba were opened for the prime minister and members of his delegation in a rare gesture of solidarity and goodwill by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain and Adviser for Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood accompanied the prime minister.

The prime minister along with his delegation got the rare opportunity to pray inside the Kaaba. The prime minister prayed for Allah’s blessings to help the people of Pakistan in facing the multiple challenges the country was confronting.

A large number of pilgrims, mostly from Pakistan gathered outside the entrance of the Kaaba and waved to Imran Khan, attired in white Ahram, as he exited the large golden door.

Earlier the doors of the Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH) were also opened for the prime minister and members of his delegation. They offered special

 

PM, OIC CHIEF DISCUSS CHALLENGES FACED BY UMMAH

 

Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Youssef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen Wednesday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed issues of mutual interest and the challenges faced by the Ummah.

They discussed different issues of common concern and the OIC secretary general emphasised the central role of Pakistan in the progress of the Organisation and its various projects and the position it enjoyed among member states, a press release of the OIC Secretariat said.

Dr Al-Othaimeen noted with appreciation the interest Pakistan accorded to the issues and topics on the agenda of the OIC.

The meeting noted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations among the member states.

The secretary general mentioned the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia which had a significant impact. He reaffirmed the Organisation’s constant position in supporting Pakistan and its legitimate demands concerning the Kashmir issue and reiterated the readiness of the OIC to keep working with Pakistan at the international forums in that regard.

 

 

PM, Abu Dhabi prince discuss ties

 

Xinhua adds: Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces, met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday, discussing enhancing of bilateral ties, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

They also talked on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the report said.

Khan arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday on a state visit to the UAE.

 

 

 

Saudi Arabia assures Imran of max assistance