PM lauds extraordinary Pak-Saudi ties

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the extraordinary relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia calling it a unique and special bond that has no parallel in the world.

In an interview with a Saudi TV channel, he underscored the deep-rooted historical ties between the two nations spanning centuries. He emphasized that the two nations share a rich history and cultural heritage that spans centuries.

The prime minister highlighted the success of World Economic Forum (WEF) in Saudi Arabia where he met with Saudi authorities and agreed to cooperate in various fields, including the training of Saudi Air Force pilots. He stressed that the two nations are like family and will support each other in times of need. Sharif expressed admiration for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s accomplishments in the IT sector and expressed Pakistan s interest in leveraging Saudi expertise in this field.

He outlined areas of mutual interest and cooperation particularly in solar energy investment discussions held during Pakistan’s delegation visit to Riyadh.

Reflecting on the economic landscape of Pakistan, the premier emphasized the nation’s potential for growth especially in agriculture and referred to it as Pakistan Speed.

He credited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with transforming Saudi Arabia’s landscape and hailed his policies as an inspiration for leaders worldwide. PM Sharif also welcomed the historic opportunity for business communities from both nations to connect, which will drive development and growth in both countries.

Further, he highlighted the historic opportunities arising from increased business interactions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia facilitated by visits from Saudi officials including the foreign minister. He lauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sincerity in fostering strong relations with Pakistan emphasizing the mutual benefits derived from such collaboration.

Meanwhile, the prime minister on Saturday expressed Pakistan’s desire to attract investment from the UK and other countries, highlighting the country’s vast potential in diverse areas including agriculture, food security, information technology, tourism, and mining.

He was talking to British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, who called on him at the PM House. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief Economist and Director of the Economic and Evaluation Directorate, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, London, Professor Adnan Khan.

The prime minister said, “Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy long-standing relations that are further strengthening with the passage of time.” He also emphasized the government’s commitment to improving governance structures and introducing institutional reforms. He said that the government was taking measures at the micro and macroeconomic levels to recover the country’s economy.

Moreover, he said the digitization process of the Federal Board of Revenue was at the final stage. The British delegation felicitated the government’s initiative to declare an education emergency in the country and expressed support for Pakistan’s recovery efforts.