Saudi business delegation holds talks with Army Chief and President

Both sides discussed ways to enhance ties and to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Saudi Arabia's high-level government and business delegation, led by Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, in Rawalpindi to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen the growing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on efforts to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

General Asim Munir emphasised that Pakistan will continue to fully support Saudi Arabia and expressed optimism regarding the positive outcomes this partnership will yield for both nations.

The Army Chief also expressed gratitude for the support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman towards Pakistan.

He added that the visiting Saudi business delegation's presence reflects the long-standing brotherly relations between the two countries, noting Pakistan's people's deep respect and admiration for Saudi Arabia.

The discussions underscored the shared commitment to bolstering relations, with both sides acknowledging the importance of ongoing cooperation for the benefit of their nations.

The Saudi delegation also met with President Asif Ali Zardari. President expressed a desire to elevate Pakistan-Saudi ties into a long-term strategic and economic partnership, underscoring that such collaboration would bring the two brotherly nations closer.

Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih said that Saudi Arabia recognized the strategic geographical significance of Pakistan and its potential of natural resources and renewable energy.

He said Saudi Arabia had planned to invest in Pakistan's infrastructure and mining sectors. In this regard, his delegation would sign 25 agreements in different sectors that would boost economic cooperation between the two brotherly nations. He expressed the hope that signing the agreements would mark a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides emphasized the need to increase collaboration in the areas of agriculture and information technology.

The Saudi delegation arrived in Islamabad yesterday for a three-day visit aimed at finalising $2 billion in business-to-business (B2B) investment proposals.

Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, among other ministers, received the 130-member delegation at the Noor Khan Airbase.

The delegation comprises representatives from various sectors, including energy, mining, minerals, agriculture, business, tourism, industry, and manpower.

This diplomatic trip precedes the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit next week and seeks to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

In recent months, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have actively collaborated to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Earlier this year, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to expedite a $5 billion investment package for Pakistan.