ISLAMABAD/ LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that he was “deeply touched” by the heart-warming welcome, accorded to him by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on his visit to Riyadh.
“Deeply touched by the heart warming welcome, accorded to me by my dear brother HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on my visit to Riyadh,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline.
He said that from the unprecedented escort provided to his aircraft by the Royal Saudi Air Force jets to the smartly turned out guard of the Saudi Armed Forces, the welcome reception spoke volumes about the abiding love and mutual respect between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister said that his “most cordial” talks with the Crown Prince covered a wide range of issues, reviewing regional challenges and enhancing bilateral cooperation, deeply admiring the Saudi leader’s vision and leadership that he provided to the Muslim world.
On the bilateral front, he said that he greatly valued the Crown Prince’s consistent support and his keen interest in expanding Saudi investments, trade and business ties between the two countries.
“It is my fervent prayer that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia’s friendship continues to flourish and attain new heights of glory. Inshallah,” he added.
Meanwhile, the prime minister reached London after completing his visit to Saudi Arabia.
The PM will stay in London till Sunday. He is accompanied by his cabinet members: Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Information Minister Atta Tarar.
The PM stayed in Geneva for two hours to meet Nawaz Sharif, the former premier, who is in the Swiss capital for a medical chekup. The PM briefed his elder brother on the deal signed between the two countries. The source said that the PM passed a special message of the Saudi Crown Prince to Nawaz Sharif.
On Saturday (today), the PM will address a large community gathering in London organised by the Overseas Pakistan Foundation and PMLN UK chapter, headed by Ahsan Dar. There will be a celebratory event also at the same time to celebrate Pakistan-Saudi deal.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman has issued an important statement following the defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
MBS and Shehbaz signed the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA)” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Under the clauses of this agreement, an external armed attack on either country will be considered an attack on both nations. The signing of the agreement reaffirms the deep bilateral relations and security cooperation between the two countries.
Following this historic agreement, the Saudi defence minister wrote on the social media site X, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, standing together against aggression, always and forever.”
According to news outlet, Geo News anchorperson Hamid Mir termed the Pak-Saudi pact a strategic win for Pakistan. He said that, keeping the Middle East and South Asian nations in mind, Pakistan has emerged as a new power in the region. According to him, the deal would protect Pakistan from any aggression by India or Israel.
