Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have inked several memorandum of understandings (MoUs) as Prime Minister Imran Khan reached the Kingdom on Friday at the invitation of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.
The crown prince hosted a dinner in honour of the premier and his delegation that included Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi among others.
Both sides held delegation-level talks on Friday.
MBS received Imran on arrival at Jeddah airport on Friday night as the latter embarked on a three-day visit to the Kingdom.
The lavender (purple) carpet was rolled out which symbolises the highest state honour for the guest. Saudi Arabia has recently replaced red carpet with lavender carpet.
The prime minister’s Twitter handle shared the video of his arrival at Jeddah airport where Crown Prince Muhammad received him.
The prime minister, accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and his delegation reached Deewan-e-Shahi.
The crown prince hosted a dinner for the Pakistan delegation after that the prime minister and the crown prince had a meeting.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran will meet Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman again, attend the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and meetings of delegations from both sides. The two sides will hold delegation-level talks to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation, including economy, trade, investment, energy and job opportunities for the Pakistani workforce, and welfare of Pakistani diaspora in the Kingdom.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Imran will perform Umrah and later visit Medina to pay respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (the mausoleum of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
FOREIGN OFFICE STATEMENT: Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said in a statement that the Pak-Saudi relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields and mutual collaboration on regional and international issues, in particular those faced by the Muslim Ummah.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, it said while announcing the visit.
The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the foreign minister and other members of the cabinet.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has already reached Saudi Arabia and has been holding meetings with top military officials.
The prime minister will be holding consultations with the Saudi leadership on all areas of bilateral cooperation including economic, trade, investment, energy, job opportunities for the Pakistani workforce, and welfare of the Pakistani diaspora in the Kingdom.
The two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. A number of bilateral agreements/MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit, the Foreign Office statement added.
