ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where the premier is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral ties, diplomatic sources said.
Pakistan regards Saudi Arabia as one of its closest strategic partners in the region. The Kingdom has consistently supported Islamabad through its prolonged economic challenges in recent years, including through external financing and assistance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programmes.
Saudi Arabia also remains the largest source of foreign remittances to Pakistan, with over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates living and working in the Kingdom. These remittances play a critical role in sustaining Pakistan’s $350 billion economy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other top officials would accompany the prime minister during the visit, according to diplomatic sources.
Bilateral matters, the latest situation in the Middle East, and issues related to the Muslim Ummah are expected to be the focus of talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
It would be the second meeting between the two leaders within three days. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince met in Qatar on the sidelines of the joint Arab- OIC summit on Monday.
Prime Minister Sharif has made several visits to Saudi Arabia since assuming office, underscoring the importance of bilateral ties.
During a visit in October 2024, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements valued at $2.8 billion.
These agreements focused on enhancing private sector collaboration and expanding commercial partnerships between the two countries.
