Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf met Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Monday and discussed issues of bilateral interests and matters of regional importance.
The premier briefed King Abdullah about measures being taken by Pakistan for regional peace, especially in ensuring a peaceful transition in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of Nato forces.
The premier was accompanied by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khursheed Shah, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Muhammad Naeem Khan and other officials in his meeting.
King Abdullah was also informed that Pakistanis offered prayers for the soul of former Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, reflective of the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The prime minister renewed his invitation to the Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz to visit Pakistan which was accepted.
In his first official trip to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Monday defended his party policy on various issues. “The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seeks to uphold democratic norms. The consensus reached on the recent appointment of a chief election commissioner proves that,” said the premier.
He was speaking at a reception held in his honour by the Pakistani community and PPP stalwarts in Jeddah.
“The PPP-led government has been able to present five successive budgets and is fully prepared for the next elections,” said a confident Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
The prime minister urged the expatriates to invest in Pakistan, especially in the power generation sector.
Assuring that the present government will provide maximum protection to all foreign investors, the prime minister said that more investment-friendly policies will be announced soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.
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Saudi Arabia is our master whether anyone likes it or not. I am personally in love with the country as it provided my dad with enough money to invest in a home in Dubai and send his children to countries like Germany and UK for education. And this is a story shared by thousands who are driving huge SUVs with bank accounts running in millions.
The Indus Valley serves the same purpose in Asia that the Aegean sea serves in Europe and the border of Pakistan roughly equates to that of Ancient Greece. The difficult tribal divisions and rivalry that beset Pakistan were evident in the problems of the Balkan .The following are corresponding Greek / Pakistan territories. Balochistan / Epirius, Sindh /Achaia ,Punjab /Bosporus, Islamabad / Byzantium. . Pakistan's present difficulties are similar to that of Greece in 624 AD out of which Islamabad / Byzantium could emerge as the most prominent city for centuries to come. It could serve as a vital trade and cultural link between Asia and the Middle East. This is only possible if Pakistan embraces a multicultural, tolerant civilization similar to that of ancient Byzantium.
@Fazal ur Rehman: Democracy does not only mean to vote and elect the Government. Democracy means social equality which our rulers are not aware of. You still talk about ghairat, they don't who beg.
@sam: Sam are you there in meeting.How do you know what prince Abdullah said and what not said..you and Fazalurahman are anti Pakiatan and anti democracy elements. Saudi Arabia is like elder brother of Pakistan and we Pakistanies respect and honor of Saudi Arabian government and it's peoples like our brothers and this respect in between both countries and nations inshallah will remain always.
"Pakistan working towards Afghan transition: PM" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thats precisely what is causing serious worry to the rest of the world.
King Abdullah was also informed by the PM that Pakistanis now pray five times a day, thanks to your support in spreading medressa culture in Pakistan.
Next on the agenda of Pakistan is to work on the transition and development of India and then China.
Prince Abdullah did not say anything about Pakistan or whatever he said is not good enough to be published.this news story only tells what Pervez Ashraf said to him.
raja would never have thought in his wildest dream to be prime minister of pakistan and rub shoulders with kings agree or disagree thats beauty of democracy
"King Abdullah was also informed that Pakistanis offered prayers for the soul of former Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, reflective of the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The prime minister renewed his invitation to the Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz to visit Pakistan which was accepted."
Where is our pride and ghairat? It is really a very shameful conduct.
A democratic prime minister of a nuclear Pakistan should have broken this shameful tradition to bow and get blessings from a King who has no respect for democracy and freedom. No wonder why the world does not respect Pakistan citizens.