Shehbaz, MBS hail bilateral ties at Makkah rendezvous

Bilateral talks cover matters of mutual interest, trade and investment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed with him bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest on Sunday, the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing and the Saudi media reported.

The crown prince, who had arrived in Makkah from Jeddah on Saturday to spend the remaining days of the holy month of Ramazan near the Grand Mosque, held meetings with world leaders, also including Bahrain Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

On Sunday, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation for an Iftar gathering at his Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, according to a report in the Saudi media. Prince Salman of Bahrain was also present at the Iftar, the Saudi Gazette reported.

According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman received Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Al-Safa Palace, in the presence of Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. “They had the Iftar meal with HRH the Crown Prince,” it added.

The Prime Minister’s Office said in its handout that after the Iftar meal, the prime minister and the Saudi crown prince sat for a one-on-one meeting. It added that Prime Minister Shahbaz conveyed his best wishes for the health and well-being of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The prime minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation by the Saudi authorities. Both leaders appreciated the upward trajectory of longstanding fraternal relations and reaffirmed their common resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties, it added.

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According to the SPA, the Iftar-reception was attended by Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd, Prince Saud bin Salman, Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah, National Security Adviser Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef, President of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, and others.

Attending the reception from the Pakistani side were Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the SPA added.

“The distinguished guests broke their fast with the crown prince, highlighting the spirit of the holy month and the shared values that bind these countries together,” the Saudi media highlighted. The event showcased the deep-rooted camaraderie between the two leaders and their nations, it added.

After the Iftar, the prime minister went to the Holy Kaaba for prayers and performing Umra. Shehbaz is in Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit. During the visit, he went to Madina and offered prayers in Masjidun Nabavi and also performed Umra.

Shehbaz reached Makkah for the Umrah by train from Madina. The prime minister offered prayers at the Masjudun Nabavi and paid his respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH). He also prayed for the development and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah, especially Pakistan.

Later, he was seen off at the Haramain High Speed Railway Station in Madina by the officials of the Royal Protocol Office. At the Makkah railway station, Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Bin Saeed Al-Malkiy and high level officials received the prime minister.

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)