PM Shehbaz underscores the significance accorded by Pak to its longstanding fraternal, economic & strategic relations with Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD, April 16 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who is leading a high powered delegation on an official visit to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep appreciation for the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and conveyed his sincerest wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The Prime Minister underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its longstanding fraternal, economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. He said both countries had always stood together at all times. While recalling his warm and productive meeting with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Makkah earlier this month, the Prime Minister stated that the visit of the Saudi delegation led by the Foreign Minister, immediately after his visit, was a manifestation of the strong commitment of both countries to the strengthening of bilateral relations focused on mutually beneficial economic cooperation. In this regard, the Prime Minister said that both sides needed to work closely to expedite the first phase of Saudi investments in Pakistan under the new arrangement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed the delegation about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its initiatives to promote investment in Pakistan. He also highlighted the key role of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and the cooperation of all institutions for the promotion of investment in the country through SIFC. The Saudi Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to his delegation and highlighted that Saudi Arabia attached high importance to its strong and close ties with Pakistan. The Foreign Minister also conveyed the Kingdom’s commitment to an enhanced strategic and economic partnership with Pakistan. The escalating situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories was also discussed.