PM Sharif Arrives in Saudi Arabia as Part of Pakistan’s Peace Initiative

Sharif embarks on four-day trip as Islamabad steps up diplomacy ahead of possible second round of negotiations

April 15, 2026 at 7:49 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, beginning a four-day diplomatic visit, as Islamabad intensifies efforts ahead of a possible second round of US-Iran peace talks.

Upon his arrival in Jeddah, he was received by the  Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, at King Abdulaziz International Airport, a PM office statement said.

“The Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The meeting will include discussions about the deepening of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia partnership, as well as the wider situation in the region,” it said.

Sharif is accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was involved in mediating the US-Iran talks, along with other senior officials.

The prime minister will also travel to Qatar and Turkiye following his visit to the Kingdom, the Foreign Office said. It added that the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar taking place in a bilateral context, where the prime minister will meet the respective leadership to discuss ongoing cooperation as well as regional peace and security.

The trip comes after Washington and Tehran held rare face-to-face talks in Islamabad over the weekend, with efforts underway to end a conflict that began more than six weeks ago following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close ties, and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that Saudi Arabia has committed an additional $3 billion in financial support and agreed to extend its existing $5 billion deposit for a longer duration.

Substantive funds from Saudi Arabia would provide a timely boost to the country’s external financing position and market confidence.

The Prime Minister will participate in the Fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye. During the Forum, the Prime Minister will participate in the Leaders’ Panel, alongside other world leaders, to present Pakistan’s perspective at the Forum.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other key world leaders.

Pakistan’s participation in the Forum reflects its continued commitment to constructive diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and meaningful engagement with the international community on issues of global importance.

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