Strengthening Strategic Partnership Between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today (Thursday), accompanied by senior cabinet members. The visit underscores Pakistan’s intent to deepen its longstanding and historic relationship with the Kingdom, rooted in shared faith, values, and mutual trust.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister will hold a high-level bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The agenda includes a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations, with discussions expected to focus on political cooperation, economic investment, trade, and defense collaboration. The leaders will also exchange views on critical regional and global developments, highlighting the mutual commitment to peace and stability in the Muslim world.
The visit is expected to result in the formalisation of new cooperation agreements in multiple sectors, further expanding the scope of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Recent Engagements Reflect Growing Bilateral Momentum
This marks PM Shehbaz Sharif’s third visit to Saudi Arabia this year alone. His earlier trips in March and June were centered on advancing economic cooperation, enhancing investment frameworks, and promoting private sector linkages. In October 2024, both nations signed 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs), signaling a significant boost in commercial collaboration.
Earlier this week, Shehbaz Sharif met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha. The meeting, held amid regional tensions following Israeli airstrikes in Qatar, focused on Muslim unity and the geopolitical response to Israeli aggression. PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi leadership and praised MBS’s role in unifying the Muslim world.
The Saudi crown prince, in turn, acknowledged Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic efforts at international forums such as the UN Security Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
