The prime minister in a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. PHOTO: APP
Hours after arriving in Saudi Arabia on a private visit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on the Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in the wee hours of Saturday.
The prime minister was accompanied in the meeting by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Hussain Nawaz. The meeting was also attended by the kings’ adviser Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Adviser and Special Envoy of the King Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
King Abdullah greeted Nawaz on his election as prime minister of Pakistan for the third time and prayed for his successful tenure.
The prime minister expressed gratitude for the sentiments and also thanked the Saudi royals for a very warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his private visit to Saudi Arabia.
Both the leaders expressed complete satisfaction that relations between the two brotherly countries were excellent at all levels and that the bond of brotherhood had transcended the vicissitude of time.
It was said that both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed commonality of views on regional and international issues.
PM Nawaz said that the relations were not based on political expediency, rather the same were etched deep in the heart of every Pakistani and Saudi nationals. “We care about each other more in practice than in words,” he remarked.
Earlier Nawaz also called on Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz al Saud late Friday night.
The crown prince warmly received the Prime Minister and welcomed him to Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Saudi Arabia was playing a unique and irreplaceable role in the Muslim world.
The two leaders agreed that high level exchanges between the two countries were essential for further deepening of their relations.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2013.
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Oye Yaroo, WONDERFUL PICTURE :-)) "Tuahaady Wastaay Paani Lianwaan yaa Chaa Nosh kero gaaay"
What business Hussain Nawaz has in accompanying the Prime Minsiter and in what capacity. Indeed as first son - as the first son of the country and also the first son of Punjab accompanied the delegation to China. CORRUPTION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER! Yet the media, the likes of Hamid Mir and Najam Sethi are keeping quiet. This is no issue to them. When the son of US president slept in White House for a few days, while the father was the incumbent president, there was a hue and cry out there. Not in Pakistan. This is fair to our media. And indeed no suo-moto by the exalted Chief Justice Too. Well done Mian saheb. You are true to the family traditions. Abba ji lives on to rule. Indeed a democratic transformation of Pakistan - to the benefit of the first family.
Long live the first family - do whatever you want. No media, no chief justice to ask a question.
Pakistan's relationship with and financial dependency on Saudi Arabia has cost the country a very high price. The rise of fanatical Wahhabism is a Saudi import. Pakistan is a part of South Asia and should not wish to emulate the Middle East. We have a proud and glorious past dating back 6000BC: the Indus Valley Civilization.
People of Pakistan washing away in extreme rains. Everywhere is floods and in next few days more people will suffer if the necessary action not taken and our prime minister busy in private business. This is unbelieveable.