Biggest ever delegation to accompany MBS

ISLAMABAD: The biggest ever delegation of the history will arrive with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) tomorrow (Saturday) along with Royal family’s dignitaries, ministers and business personalities.

This will be the first visit of MBS after taking charge as a crown prince in April 2017. The crown prince will meet President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit. Businessmen of both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will meet and exchange views with one another in order to foster partnership in various private sectors.

A change has been made in programme in connection with the MBS visit. A dinner will be arranged in the Prime Minister House for MBS on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday night, while meeting between President Arif Alvi and Mohammad bin Salman will be held on Sunday and later the president will also arrange luncheon in honour of MBS on the same day at President House.

After the luncheon, Mohammad bin Salman will depart from Islamabad for next phase of his visit. The sources said that all commercial flights will be suspended as soon as the plane of MBS enters Pakistan and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has informed all national and private airlines in this regard. The sources said orders have been issued to remove all private planes from Noor Khan and adjacent Benazir Bhutto Airport from parking till Friday evening.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that a reception will be arranged for the crown prince at the President House which will be participated by prime minister, COAS, all ministers and important personalities, along with members of the Royal family.

Fawad further said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and Mohammad Bin Salman will jointly preside over the meetings of trade, investment, energy, science and technology, media and different joint groups.

Combing in surrounding areas of Islamabad will continue late at Friday night and a series of arrest of suspected people will also be continued. The police officials said that citizens would not be persecuted unjustifiably, however, the citizens will have to demonstrate their responsibilities in this regard. They advised citizens to avoid unduly roaming on the roads on Saturday and Sunday. According to the district administration, the Sasta Bazaars will remain opened on Sunday as per routine.

Security in Rawalpindi is also put on high alert on the occasion of MBS visit. General hold-up was observed on Thursday night on the whole district till 11:00 at night, while checking was carried out in hotels, inns, guest houses and bus stands in several areas of the city. Security will remain on high alert till Sunday.