PM Shehbaz lauds Saudi economic backing, highlights strong defence partnership
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. PHOTO: PMO/X
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support in strengthening the country’s economic stability during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, while reaffirming the close defence and security partnership between the two nations, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X.
The statement comes a day after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pledged $3 billion in deposits, with disbursement expected in the coming week. The existing $5 billion Saudi deposit will no longer be subject to the previous annual rollover arrangement but will instead be extended for a longer period.
During the meeting, the premier conveyed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom” and expressed “deep appreciation of its patience and restraint, under the sagacious leadership of His Royal Highness, in these challenging times,” the statement added.
Meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, called on His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia… pic.twitter.com/wH7ObFQh4sHe also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s consistent economic support. “I also expressed sincere appreciation for the Kingdom’s consistent support for Pakistan’s economic stability, while highlighting the unique defence and security relationship between our two countries,” the statement read.
In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement”, declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”. The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Pakistan has sent fighter jets and other military forces to Saudi Arabia to boost security under the defence pact between the two countries, the kingdom's defence ministry confirmed on April 11.
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The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening what was described as an “enduring partnership” between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The prime minister also briefed the Saudi leadership on Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts. “I reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to advancing its efforts to encourage both the US and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region,” he said, while expressing gratitude for the Crown Prince’s support for Pakistan’s peace initiatives.
The prime minister is on a three-nation tour until Friday, during which he will also visit Qatar and Turkiye amid ongoing negotiations for peace in the Middle East.
The premier's meeting with the Saudi Prince comes four days after the US and Iran were unable to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon negotiations lasting around 21 hours. The prolonged talks, aimed at halting hostilities that have killed thousands and driven global oil prices higher over the past six weeks, ended with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.
On April 11, US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan for conclusive talks following a two-week immediate ceasefire "everywhere, including Lebanon", announced by PM Shehbaz, who later invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.
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The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and leaving tens of thousands injured, with civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites, among those hit.
The conflict also expanded geographically. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also visited Madinah from Jeddah as part of his official visit to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement issued by the PMO. Upon arrival, the prime minister and his delegation were received by Governor Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif blessed with the honour of visiting Rauda e Rasool (SAW) in Masjid-e-Nabwi. pic.twitter.com/mYyFiXiQjV
During his stay, the prime minister visited Masjid an-Nabawi, where he offered prayers and supplicated for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity, as well as for peace and harmony across the world.
The statement said that special arrangements were made for the prime minister and his delegation, including access to the Rawdah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where he offered prayers and sent salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The prime minister is scheduled to conclude his Saudi visit and depart from Madinah to Doha, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The visit is part of the prime minister’s broader diplomatic engagements in the region, the PMO statement added.