Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a brief emergency official visit to discuss regional security and bilateral relations.
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According to Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hassan Andrabi, the visit was made at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is accompanying the premier during the trip.
During the visit, the prime minister is expected to hold talks with the crown prince on the evolving regional security situation, ongoing tensions in the Middle East and cooperation between the two countries.
The spokesperson described the trip as an important diplomatic engagement and said it reflects the close consultations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on issues of peace and stability in the region.
He added that Pakistan would continue to advocate for de-escalation, ceasefire efforts and diplomatic dialogue to resolve regional conflicts.
A day earlier, Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia “even before it is needed,” highlighting the strength of the strategic relationship between the two nations.
The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions following the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman regarding the evolving security situation.
According to Pakistan’s military media wing, the two leaders discussed Iranian drone and missile attacks on the kingdom and reviewed joint measures under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year.
In recent remarks, Ishaq Dar also stated that Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement helped prevent heavier Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia, underscoring Islamabad’s efforts to reduce tensions in the region.
