Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for London on Thursday after completing his state visit to Saudi Arabia. Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, bid him farewell at the airport.
The premier visited the Kingdom on the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Landmark Defence Agreement Signed
During the visit, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, pledging to treat aggression against one country as aggression against both.
The pact came just days after Israel launched strikes towards Qatar targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, triggering strong condemnation from Muslim nations and international leaders.
Warm Reception in Riyadh
On his arrival in Riyadh, PM Shehbaz received an extraordinary welcome. As his aircraft entered Saudi airspace, Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 jets escorted him. Upon landing at King Khalid Airport, a 21-gun salute rang out while Saudi armed forces contingents presented a guard of honour.
Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, and senior diplomats were present alongside Deputy Governor Muhammad bin Abdulrahman to welcome the premier.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said he was “deeply touched” by the warm reception from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He described their talks as “most cordial,” covering bilateral cooperation and pressing regional challenges.
The premier praised the crown prince’s leadership, calling him a visionary for the Muslim world. He also valued the consistent Saudi support for Pakistan and the strong interest in boosting trade, investment, and business ties.
Looking Ahead
PM Shehbaz said the unprecedented welcome reflected the “abiding love and mutual respect between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.” He added that the new defence pact and economic discussions marked a significant step in strengthening long-term strategic relations.
