ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday via a commercial airline for a visit scheduled from April 6 to 8, marking his first foreign trip since taking office.
Accompanying him are federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Abdul Aleem Khan, Attaullah Tarar, and Ahad Khan Cheema.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is also part of the delegation. They will be staying in Madina for the night.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the prime minister will undertake Umrah and offer prayers at the Masjid Nabwi Al-Sharif during his visit.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is anticipated to meet with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to discuss mutual interests, regional affairs, and global developments.
Sources informed a Private TV Channel that discussions on various projects are expected during the meeting with the crown prince, along with an invitation for him to visit Pakistan.
Additionally, several development projects will be finalized during the visit, and bilateral cooperation, particularly in agriculture, will be emphasized. It’s reported that Saudi Arabia plans to invest $1 billion in the Reko Diq project.
The statement from the Foreign Office highlighted the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, rooted in religious and cultural ties, expressing profound respect for King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, by the people of Pakistan.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)