Imran Khan to Visit Saudi Arabia for a Three-day Trip

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has announced that he will be making a three-day official trip to Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a statement revealing that the leader will begin his journey on the 7th of May. 

The premier was personally invited to the Kingdom by Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Royal Highness and Crown Prince. He will be accompanied by a handful of officials, who will make up a high-level delegation. This will include Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister, as well as some other members belonging to the Federal Cabinet. 

The statement issued revealed that the Prime Minister and the Saudi Leadership will talk about various issues and cover areas related to bilateral cooperation. This will include trade, job opportunities for Pakistani employees, economics, investment, welfare of the Pakistani Diaspora residing in the Kingdom, as well as energy. 

The two sides have also informed that they will be exchanging views on various international and regional issues of mutual interest. Numerous bilateral agreements, as well as MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) will also be signed on the premier’s visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The Prime Minister is additionally expected to have a meeting with the Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, who is the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, along with Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is the Secretary-General of the World Muslim League. He has also been scheduled to have sit-down with Imams of the two Holy Mosques, located in Makkah and Medina. 

Imran Khan has also decided to interact with the Pakistani Diaspora residing in Jeddah. 

The MoFA informed that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have fraternal relations, which are deep rooted in shared history, mutual support, and common faith. The press release maintained that the people of Pakistan respect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. 

Saudi Arabia currently houses over two million Pakistanis, which contributes to the prosperity and progress of both the countries. 

High-level bilateral visits on a regular basis have always played a pivotal role in ensuring that the fraternal ties between the two countries are further cemented. These visits, as per the statement, are the key to close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. 

On the 4th of May, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) arrived in Riyadh to meet up with Saudi military and civil leadership to prepare for the visit of the Prime Minister.