JEDDAH – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Saudi Arabia for an emergency official visit lasting several hours.
The Prime Minister was received by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region at the Royal Terminal of Jeddah International Airport. Diplomatic officials, including Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, also welcomed him.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister will remain in Saudi Arabia for a few hours and meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before returning to Pakistan.
The statement said the meeting between the prime minister and the Saudi crown prince would focus on the current regional situation. The two leaders also plan to discuss regional security and bilateral relations in detail.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the visit reflected Pakistan’s positive diplomatic role, adding that Pakistan would continue to play its role in diplomatic efforts.
Earlier, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Hassan Andrabi said in his weekly press briefing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also accompany him.
The spokesperson added that the visit is very important and is part of close consultations and discussions between the two countries on regional peace and security. Pakistan will continue its efforts to reduce tensions, ceasefire, dialogue and diplomacy in the region.
The news of Prime Minister Shehbaz’s arrival in Saudi Arabia on a brief emergency visit was first published in Daily Pakistan English News.