Key Points
- Meeting attended by Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Syed Asim Munir.
- PM conveyed Pakistan’s respects to King Salman and appreciation for support.
- Leaders discussed recent Middle East developments and regional peace efforts.
- Shehbaz assured Crown Prince of Pakistan’s firm support and cooperation.
- Meeting highlights strong bilateral ties, defence, economic, and strategic partnership.
JEDDAH: Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, reaffirming Islamabad’s support for the kingdom and discussing regional security amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The meeting took place in Jeddah between the Pakistani premier and Saudi Crown Prince, who also serves as the prime minister of Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the talks were held in a restricted format and focused on strengthening bilateral ties and reviewing the evolving regional situation.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir were also present during the meeting.
At the start of the talks, the Pakistani prime minister conveyed his respects and best wishes to Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and thanked the kingdom for its longstanding support to Pakistan.
The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” for Saudi Arabia during what the statement described as challenging times for the region.
Both sides held an in-depth exchange of views on recent developments in the Middle East and agreed to continue working closely to promote regional peace and stability.
During the meeting, the Pakistani premier assured the Saudi Crown Prince that Islamabad would stand firmly with the kingdom and support efforts aimed at ensuring peace in the region.
Strong strategic ties
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share long-standing political, economic and defence ties. The kingdom is home to more than two million Pakistani expatriates, whose remittances form a significant part of Pakistan’s foreign exchange inflows.
Saudi Arabia has also been a key economic partner for Pakistan, providing financial assistance, oil on deferred payment facilities and investment commitments during times of economic stress.
Security cooperation has remained a cornerstone of the relationship, with the two countries maintaining close military coordination and regular high-level exchanges between defence and political leadership.
The latest meeting comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with regional leaders increasingly engaging in diplomatic consultations aimed at preventing a wider conflict and promoting stability across the region.
