Saudi bounty for Pak

Saudi Arabia on Sunday signed eight agreements amounting up to USD 20 billion agreement to invest in cash-starved Pakistan.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, widely known as 'MBS', who is on a two-day visit to the country.

Following the signing of the agreements, Khan said that it was a "great day for Pakistanis", adding that Saudi Arabia "has always been a friend to Pakistan, whenever it needed support," The News International reported. The cricketer-turnedpolitician urged the Saudi leadership to consider relaxation for Pakistani pilgrims who go to Haj pilgrimage every year. Last month, Saudi Arabia had agreed to provide USD 3 billion to Pakistan as a balance of payment support to stabilise its ailing economy besides providing oil on deferred payment for three years.

Thanking the Pakistani leadership for its hospitality, the Saudi Crown Prince remarked that his country will make investments to support cash-strapped Pakistan. He said that Pakistan has a "great future today with a great leadership".

Visiting Saudi Crown Prince has said that Pak will be a very, very important country in the coming future and that his country had been waiting for a leadership like that of Prime Minister Imran Khan to partner with Islamabad in various areas.

Also, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has ordered the immediate release of over 2,000 Pakistani prisoners in the Kingdom's jails, Pak's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said. PM Imran Khan at a ceremony had made a "special request" to him on the Pakistani prisoners.