PM, Saudi crown prince discuss ways to boost ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral economic, investment and trade ties between the two countries.

Upon his arrival at the Royal Palace, the prime minister was warmly welcomed by the crown prince and given a guard of honour. Premier Shehbaz was accompanied by the members of his delegation including federal ministers.

During the meeting at the palace, both the leaders also discussed mutual interest, global and regional issues. The prime minister is undertaking his three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of the Saudi crown prince.

PM arrives in UAE

PM Shehbaz reached Abu Dhabi on a day-long visit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

UAE Minister for Justice Abdullah bin Sultan Al-Nuaimi received the premier and the members of his delegation at the airport.

The prime minister held a meeting with Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Both the sides discussed bilateral ties between the two countries and other issues of mutual interest, PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday, PM Shehbaz Sharif along with his delegation performed Umrah. The PM performed 'Saey' between Safa and Marwa and afterward prayed for the security, development and prosperity of the nation and the Ummah, the PM Office Media Wing said. Doors of the Khana-e-Kaba were also opened for the prime minister and his delegation.

According to the PM Office, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha called on PM Shehbaz at Makkah Mukarma. During the meeting, Shehbaz affirmed his government's commitment to promoting the interests of Ummah as a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy.

The prime minister thanked the secretary general for consistent and unequivocal support of the OIC to the Kashmir cause.

He urged the organisation to lead the diplomatic endeavours towards facilitating a peaceful and lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The prime minister said, “Pakistan, as the current Chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, is looking forward to playing a proactive role with regard to the matters of interest and concern for the OIC member states.”

Shehbaz invited the OIC to launch a concerted effort to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque and other occupied Palestinian territories.

He stressed that Israel must not be allowed to divide the blessed mosque, temporally and spatially, between the peoples of different faiths.

The prime minister underscored the need for provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, emphasising that the OIC should step up its efforts to counter growing Islamophobia at the international level.

He invited the OIC secretary general to pay a visit to Pakistan, which was accepted.

The secretary general reaffirmed the OIC's support for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

He expressed his resolve to work closely with Pakistan on key issues of concern for the Ummah, especially Palestine, Afghanistan and Islamophobia.

The secretary general reiterated his felicitations to the prime minister on his recent election and assumption of office.
He also highlighted the important role that Pakistan had always played in the OIC as a founding member.

During the meeting, ministers Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Miftah Ismail, Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Mohsin Dawar and Maulana Tahir Ashrafi were in attendance. 

PHOTO: APP