Raft of agreements signed on Khan visit to Kingdom

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a raft of agreements on Saturday during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to the Kingdom.

The agreements cover crime, combating drug trafficking, and financing energy, water, transport, communications and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

The two countries also agreed to establish a Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council, which will streamline cooperation on investment deals signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan in Feb. 2019.

In a communique issued on Saturday, the crown prince acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process, and the two leaders agreed to continue mutual consultations on the issue.

The crown prince and the prime minister also emphasized the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve their outstanding issues, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure peace and stability in the region.

“The prime minister of Pakistan’s visit to Saudi Arabia is an important milestone in bilateral relations,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said. “The Kingdom is keen to further strengthen relations between the brotherly countries as well as enable broader economic cooperation.”

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said: “It was agreed to further strengthen, deepen and diversify the existing political, economic, trade, defense and security ties. The talks were marked by exceptional cordiality and a commitment to fortify the upward trajectory in the relationship.”

A mosque named after King Salman for 6,000 worshippers will be built at the International Islamic University in Islamabad.