PM pleads for Hajis, Pak prisoners

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday requested Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to allow Pakistani Haj pilgrims to undergo immigration at the three major Pakistani airports before leaving for Saudi Arabia for their convenience.

The prime minister also requested the Saudi authorities to look into the hardships of the Pakistani labourers working in the kingdom. “There are some 3,000 (Pakistani) prisoners there and we just would like you to bear in mind that they are poor people who have left their families behind,” Imran Khan said.

Terming it a “special request”, the premier asked Mohammed bin Salman to “look upon them (Pakistani labourers) as your own people”.

In response, the crown prince told Imran Khan he could consider him the ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia. “We cannot say no to Pakistan ... whatever we can do, we will deliver that,” he assured.

Mohammed bin Salman in his speech said Pakistan was a “dear country” to all Saudis and “we have walked together in tough and good times”. He said Pakistan today was facing a great future “with a great leadership”, noting that the country’s GDP grew by 5 per cent in 2018.

“We believe that Pakistan is going to be a very, very important country in the coming future and we want to be sure we are part of that,” the crown prince said.