All-weather allies: 'KSA great friend of nation'

Saudi Arabian ambassador calls on chief minister

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was a great friend of the nation.

Sharif made the remarks at a meeting with Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdullah Marzouq Al-Zahrani.

The chief minister said the kingdom had always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the nation in testing times.

He said the peoples of both the allies had enduring affection for each other. The chief minister said the nation attached great importance to its ties with the kingdom.

He said the government had been striving to ensure that the nation overcame the challenges confronting it.

The chief minister said ties between the nation and the kingdom were strengthening. He said the peoples of the two nations were united through religion and fraternal relations.

The chief minister said the kingdom had always come to the nation’s assistance. Sharif said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the government and the citizens of the kingdom had always helped the nation. The chief minister said the government and citizens of Pakistan held the country in great esteem.

Sharif said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was extremely keen on further strengthening ties between the two nations. The chief minister expressed sorrow over the Mina stampede.

Ambassador Al-Zahrani said the kingdom attached great importance to its ties with Pakistan. He said relations between the two nations had withstood the test of time.

Zahrani said the province had made rapid progress under the chief minister. He said the kingdom would continue to cooperate with Pakistan.

Separately, a delegation of Chinese investors called on the chief minister. Investment opportunities across the province were discussed on the occasion. Sharif said the government’s sound policies had resulted in promotion of foreign investment. He said special incentives were being provided to foreign investors. The chief minister said scores of foreign companies were operating in the Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2015.