Pakistan, KSA relationship marked by close cooperation in all fields: PM Imran

We look forward to especially strengthen our economic ties for our mutual benefit, the premier adds

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support.

The remarks came in an article authored by the premier, PM Imran Khan on Saudi-Pakistan ties: ‘Our relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields', published in Arab News Pakistan.

PM Imran would embark on a three-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 7 (today), as per a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday on the invitation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The prime minister said that the people of Pakistan hold the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the highest esteem.

"Our relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields and we look forward to further strengthen this equation especially our economic ties for our mutual benefit," PM Imran added.

The prime minister further said that the kingdom has a key role in unifying the Muslim Ummah as it is the home to the two holiest cities for Muslims across the world. Pakistan highly valued this role that Saudi Arabia has consistently been playing, the premier added.

Read more: PM Imran to embark on three-day visit to Saudi Arabia today

"One of the key challenges faced by Muslims today is Islamophobia," he said."It is imperative that the Muslim world takes a united stance against the rising tide of Islamophobia and we all make concerted efforts to sensitize the West about our deep respect for our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and our sensitivities about our religion being linked with terrorism."

PM Imran also appreciated various landmark initiatives taken by the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabia. One that requires a special mention was the 'Saudi Green Initiative' and 'Green Middle East Initiative', he further added.

The prime minister further said that the threat that climate change posed to this planet and our region was real and it was high time for action.

"Pakistan has already initiated Clean and Green Pakistan and Ten Billion Tree Tsunami," the PM said. "We believe that our priorities and goals in this regard are aligned and we can therefore learn a lot by sharing experiences. Pakistan will extend every possible support toward the success of the Green Initiative."

He further said that he looked forward to his visit to Saudi Arabia and hoped that his interaction with the Saudi leadership would further strengthen the bilateral relations and open further avenues for building a strong economic partnership as well as promoting people to people contacts.

"I take this opportunity to pay my best regards to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the royal family and the great people of Saudi Arabia," he said. "Long live Pak-Saudi friendship!"