Pakistan to stand by Saudi Arabia through thick and thin: PM

Saudi crown prince visits Pakistan; meets Nawaz, Gen Raheel

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured the visiting Saudi Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz that Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia through thick and thin as solidarity and integrity of the Kingdom is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s external policy.

The deputy crown prince was accorded the protocol of the head of the government during his brief stay in Pakistan as he was received by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif at the Nur Khan Airbase on arrival on midnight Sunday. The prime minister received the distinguished guest immediately upon his arrival at the PM House. The two leaders hugged each other and the prime minister escorted him to his office where they had one-on-one brief meeting first and then they proceeded to the banquet hall for dinner.

Their discussion continued on the dining table where Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, other services chiefs, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, some federal ministers, Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Fawad Hasan Fawad, FPSC Chairman Naveed Akram Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Affairs Dr Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani, SAPM for Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and members of parliament were also present.

The delegation-level talks took place after the dinner. The dinner was served about midnight since the arrival of Prince Muhammad bin Salman was delayed by about four hours.The Saudi defence minister had yet another meeting with the prime minister before leaving for the airbase and it was also joined by General Raheel Sharif.

The sources said that Prime Minister Nawaz had discussion with the Saudi dignitary on the whole spectrum of ties between the two brotherly countries. The visit has brushed aside the impression of a relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh. 

The problems regarding Pakistani expatriates also figured in the talks. Saudi Arabia, the sources said, has shown interest in defence procurements from Pakistan. It is likely that federal minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain will pay follow-up visit of Saudi Arabia. 

The deputy crown prince had conceived 35 Muslim countries alliance against terrorism and Pakistan is one of the influential members of the alliance. He had discussion about the global efforts for eradication of terrorism with the prime minister. He eulogised Pakistan and its Armed Forces’ efforts for eliminating terrorism.  Well-placed diplomatic sources told The News that senior Saudi officials who had reached here a day earlier had daylong meetings and discussions with senior officials of Pakistan. 

Prince Mohammad, who has embarked on a several-nation tour, including China and Japan, landed first in Islamabad to hold talks with the prime minister and other top officials. The diplomatic observers are of the view that the visit is significant keeping in view the role of Pakistan, which is seen critical to efforts directed to ensure peace and security in the Middle East and in its extended neighborhood. 

"A range of subjects including key bilateral and regional issues, were discussed during the meeting of Crown Prince Mohammad with high-ranking Pakistani officials." A senior diplomat from Pakistan has expressed joy and optimism on the royal visit. Prince Mohammad also discussed issues related to mutual cooperation in different sectors. The visit is part of the regular exchange of visits of top Saudi and Pakistani officials. The matters of mutual concerns figured on top of the agenda. 

It's interesting to mention that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has paid four visits to the kingdom since January this year. President Mamnoon Hussain also visited Saudi Arabia last month. These visits indicate that the kingdom and Pakistan share common political, strategic and economic objectives. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close relations and have identical viewpoints on major regional and international issues. On commercial front, the two countries have forged closer ties. The investors' confidence in the Pakistani economy is manifested in the recently concluded Pak-China Economic Corridor agreement that is poised to bring $46 billion investment in Pakistan. 

About two million Pakistani expatriates live and work in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan hold its defense ties with Saudi Arabia in highest esteem and it attaches great importance to the security of the kingdom and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. 

In a brief release issued on the conclusion of the visit the PM House stated after midnight that Saudi Defence Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif here at the PM House. The prime minister and the Saudi deputy crown prince pledged to further enhance the bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries and strengthen their cooperation in diverse fields. Both the leaders discussed issues of mutual interest at regional and international levels. 

The deputy crown prince who brought the message of Custodian f the Two Holy Mosques for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif now has left for China.