PM Shehbaz to attend Arab Islamic Summit in Riyadh

The premier will reaffirm Pakistan's unwavering support for Palestine during his participation at the summit.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Saudi Arabia on November 11 to attend the Second Joint Arab Islamic Summit in Riyadh, where he is set to focus on the escalating Palestinian issue and the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Middle East.

According to Express News, the PM will reaffirm Pakistan's unwavering support for Palestine during his participation at the summit.

He is expected to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to halt the ongoing violence in Gaza, which has sparked international condemnation.

“Pakistan’s stance on Palestine remains firm, and we will continue to demand a halt to the genocide taking place in Gaza,” a government spokesperson said.

Shehbaz's visit will also include meetings with leaders from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, who are gathered in Riyadh to address the worsening situation in the region.

The summit is seen as a crucial platform for discussing the Middle East’s most pressing issues.

Accompanying the prime minister on the diplomatic visit will be Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar, both of whom are expected to hold discussions on bilateral relations with Saudi officials.

In a recent statement, PM Shehbaz emphasized the significance of Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia.

"We have a strong partnership with Saudi Arabia, and our discussions on economic cooperation, especially in sectors like solar energy, mining, agriculture, and investments, are progressing positively," he noted.

The premier's visit comes after a series of meetings between Pakistani and Saudi officials, including a high-level visit in which Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed his support for Pakistan's development and investment prospects.

PM's diplomatic efforts are part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with the Arab world while continuing to push for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The visit follows recent engagements involving Pakistan’s military leadership, with Army Chief General Asim Munir meeting with Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to discuss regional security, defense cooperation, and bilateral relations.

These talks were aimed at further enhancing military collaboration and stabilizing the region amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Shehbaz's attendance at the Arab Islamic Summit underscores Pakistan's long-standing commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, which remains central to Islamabad’s foreign policy in the Middle East.