Pakistan seeks strategic economic partnership with Saudi Arabia, says PM Shehbaz 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is keen to take its economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia to a new level by developing it into a strategic partnership that benefits both countries and supports the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He made the remarks when a Saudi business delegation, headed by Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, met him in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The discussions centred on expanding trade, investment and economic collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with the prime minister also highlighting the deep-rooted fraternal relations shared by the two countries.

During the warm and cordial meeting, PM Shehbaz conveyed his greetings and best wishes to Saudi Arabia’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

The prime minister also referred to Prince Mansour’s previous trips to Pakistan and voiced hope that the latest visit would take forward the understanding reached during earlier meetings and eventually result in the signing of MoUs and agreements covering various fields.

Members of the Saudi delegation showed particular interest in potential investments in agriculture, port development, highways, airport outsourcing, real estate, energy, electricity distribution and the information technology sector.

PM Shehbaz welcomed the Saudi side’s interest and said the current environment provides an ideal opportunity for Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to pursue closer cooperation through both government-to-government and business-to-business initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, Prince Mansour appreciated the hospitality extended to the delegation by the prime minister and reaffirmed that the Saudi government and private business community remain interested in expanding direct business ties with Pakistan.

During its stay, the Saudi delegation is scheduled to engage with several senior government officials and representatives of Pakistan’s private sector to explore investment and partnership opportunities.

Federal Ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Musadik Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ataullah Tarar, Junaid Anwar Chaudhury, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari and Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Advisors Muhammad Ali and Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and senior government officials were also present during the meeting.