| Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistanis are grateful to Saudi Arabia for its consistent support in difficult times | Offers Namaz-e-Maghrib at Masjid-e-Nabvi (SAWW) | PM will have bilateral interaction with Saudi leadership during 3-day visit

 

ISLAMABAD/ MADINAH   -  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday landed in Madina Munawarah on a three-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The premier was warmly received by the Governor of Madina Prince Faisal Bin Salman and high level Saudi officials.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Shehbaz Sharif paid respect at the Roza-e-Rasool (SAWW) in Madinah. Later, he offered Namaz-e-Maghrib at Masjid-e-Nabvi(SAWW).

Federal Ministers Bialwal Bhutto Zardari, Miftah Ismail, Shahzain Bugti, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khawaja Asif, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and MNAs Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mohsin Dawar are accompanying the Prime Minister.

Later, the Prince Minister held a meeting with the Governor of Madina Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz in Madina during which Pak-Saudi brotherly relations came under discussion. Both the sides agreed on further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. This is Prime Minister’s first visit abroad after assuming Office earlier this month.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will have bilateral interaction with the Saudi leadership, with particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties and creation of greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia. The two sides will also exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

‘Pak-Saudi ties to touch new heights’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Thursday that he looked forward to his meeting with the leadership of Saudi Arabia in a bid to review the multifaceted bilateral cooperation and taking the special relationship to new heights.

In a special video message prior to leaving for Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit, he expressed pleasure that after assuming his office, Saudi Arabia was the first country of his maiden visit.

“This reflects the high importance Pakistan gives to its special relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is historic in nature and also strategic in importance,” he said. He expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammad Bin Salman for his gracious invitation for the visit.

PM Sharif said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are bound by deep-rooted and abiding fraternal ties, which were built on the solid foundation of mutual trust and support. He said the people of Pakistan held the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in high esteem.

“We are profoundly grateful to Saudi Arabia for its consistent support in difficult times,” he said.

He said Pakistan had always stood with Saudi Arabia at different occasions and “would always stand with our Saudi brethren”.

He said the visionary Saudi leadership had worked assiduously for the people of Saudi Arabia, adding that Pakistan took pride in the remarkable achievement of Saudi Arabia within the framework of the Crown Prince’s visionary 2030 project. He commended the leadership role of Saudi Arabia among the Muslim Ummah and for its deep commitment to the Muslim cause.

He also conveyed his best wishes for the Pakistani expatriates in the Kingdom for always contributing enormously to the economic development of Pakistan. He said the Pakistani diaspora was a key partner in further fortifying the Pak-Saudi relationship.

‘PM’s visit to KSA will open new chapter in exemplary friendship’

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia will open a new historic chapter in the exemplary friendship between the two countries.

She said it is also a manifestation of a historic relationship based on brotherhood, warmth and mutual trust.

Sources said during talks between Pakistani and Saudi leadership, Pakistan would seek an additional financial package of $3.2 billion from Saudi Arabia to jack up the total financial facility to $7.4 billion from the existing $4.2 billion.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would consider Pakistan request to increase the amount of the deposit from $3 billion to $5 billion and double the Saudi Oil Facility (SOF) from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion, so the total package could be increased up to $7.4 billion which would largely ease upcoming federal budget and would give Pakistan huge financial relief.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday left here for Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit at the invitation of  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.  “Today, I am embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia to renew and reaffirm our bonds of brotherhood and friendship,” the prime minister said in a tweet ahead of his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on April 28-30.  “Saudi Arabia is one of our greatest friends and as Custodian of the Two Holy Places, has a special place in all our hearts,” he said.