Foreign Office issues joint declaration of Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud’s visit to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, April 16 (SABAH): Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud led a ministerial delegation on an official visit to Pakistan from 15-16 April 2024.

According to a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Tuesday, the delegation included Saudi Ministers of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Industry and Mineral Resources, Assistant Minister of Investment, General Secretary of the Saudi Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC) and senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

The purpose of visit was to follow up on the understandings reached between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during their recent meeting in Makkah Al Mukarramah and to accelerate discussions on enhanced bilateral economic cooperation.

The delegation called on the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff. The Saudi Foreign Minister held detailed talks with Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Two Foreign Ministers also co-chaired the ‘Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Investment Conference’ which was followed by sector-wise discussions on key areas for enhanced economic partnership between the two countries.

President Asif Ali Zardari extended his best wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and praised his visionary leadership that has truly transformed the Kingdom. He underscored the longstanding cordial relations between the two brotherly nations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to bilateral economic and strategic partnership. 

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif commended the Saudi delegation for the swift follow-up on the decisions made during his meeting with His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman. He applauded the commitment by the two countries to expedite the first Saudi investments in Pakistan and underscored that facilitating Saudi investments in Pakistan remained the top priority of his government.

The two Foreign Ministers extensively discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in diverse fields and exchanged assessments on regional and global developments, including the recent situation in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Dar highlighted the vast opportunities offered by Pakistan to enhance commercial, trade and investment relations between the two countries.

The highlight of the visit was ‘Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Investment Conference’ that was co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers. Opening the Conference, Foreign Minister Dar expressed confidence that this Conference will pave the way for Saudi investments in Pakistan. The Pakistani side made detailed presentations on the recent legal and administrative reforms under the framework of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to streamline investment processes. The Saudi side appreciated SIFC’s role and expressed keen interest in Pakistan’s investment ecosystem. Subsequently, the respective technical teams of the two countries discussed investment proposals in diverse sectors such as energy, mining, renewables, agriculture, information technology, construction and human resource development and exports.

During the Joint Press Stakeout, the Saudi Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome his delegation has received in Pakistan. He emphasized the deep-rooted fraternal bonds between the two nations which is diverse, time-honored, and multifaceted. The two Foreign Ministers expressed concern at the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and end to Israeli atrocities there.

The visit by the Saudi Foreign Minister to Pakistan is part of regular high-level engagements between the two brotherly countries. It also reflects the clarity of strategic vision with which the two sides are working to enhance the economic and strategic cooperation.