PM hosts Saudi delegation for dinner reception

The premier expressed hope that multibillion dollar agreements would be signed between two sides

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hosted dinner reception for the visiting high-powered Saudi delegation, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that the visit would usher in a new era of very close cooperation between the two countries in the coming months. He added that the Saudi delegation’s visit had conveyed a message of hope and happiness to the people of Pakistan.

“I am very happy to know that today’s discussion took place successfully and there has been very satisfactory progress between the two sides as areas of mutual interest have been highlighted,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said.

The prime minister expressed the hope that multibillion dollar agreements would be signed between the two sides and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would likely to visit Pakistan to grace the occasion.

He pointed out the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was a model that had been carved out in 2023. It was a very robust mechanism supervised by the Prime Minister and the Apex Committee in which the Chief of Army Staff was a prominent member along with politicians and others, he added.

The Saudi foreign minister, on the occasion, said the two brotherly countries were initiating a new phase of bilateral partnership, including real and tangible economic cooperation. He assured that Saudi Arabia would work hand in hand with Pakistan in promoting bilateral economic relations.