Riyadh
In a significant meeting in Makkah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif emphasised the pivotal role of the Kingdom in fortifying the Pakistani economy and enhancing trade ties.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to promptly executing Saudi Arabia’s $5 billion investment package in Pakistan, signalling the initiation of collaborative economic efforts. This commitment, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency on Monday (April 8), underscores a new phase of economic cooperation between the two nations.
Discussions centered on exploring avenues for intensified cooperation across various sectors, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s crucial support in bolstering the Pakistani economy and promoting reciprocal trade and investment ventures. The meeting emphasised the potential for bilateral collaboration to drive economic growth and development in both countries.
In addition to economic matters, the leaders addressed regional concerns such as the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, emphasising the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India for regional stability. They also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, calling for international action to halt military operations and alleviate humanitarian suffering.
Both leaders underscored the importance of upholding international law and ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. They advocated for the implementation of relevant UN resolutions, including the Arab Peace Initiative, aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The meeting, between the two leadersr held at the Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, day earlier, provided an opportunity for high-level diplomatic engagement. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the presence of Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, marking a significant step in fostering strong ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Both officials had iftar with the Kingdom’s Crown Prince.