Pak makes elaborate arrangements for Saudi prince’s visit
six-member delegation of the Saudi government arrived in Islamabad on Thursday to oversee the arrangements for Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s two-day visit beginning on Saturday.
More than 700 rooms in five hotels have been booked for the royal entourage accompanying the prince. The advance Saudi team is also staying at one of the Islamabad’s hotels in which 280 rooms have been booked.
The government has also rented 300 super luxury SUV vehicles for the royal visit. Prince Mohammad himself will use his personal vehicles, which will be transported from the kingdom along with his other belongings. It is believed that 80 containers will be shipped to Islamabad for the crown prince and his entourage’s stay. The Saudi prince will also be accompanied by 130 royal guards. He will by staying at the Prime Minister’s House.
A 235-member delegation of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, led by Pakistan’s former army chief Raheel Sharif, is already in the country to review security arrangements for the visit.
Pakistan Air Force planes will guard the crown prince’s aircraft, from the moment it enters its airspace until it lands safely at the Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. All commercial flights across the country will remain suspended during this time. The government has also asked all private planes to be moved from the parking areas of the Noor Khan Airbase and the Benazir Bhutto International Airport.
A Pakistan Air Force aerobatics team will enthral the visiting dignitaries with a fly-past show using JF-17 Thunder jets.
RECONSIDER TRAVEL TO PAK: US TO CITIZENS
The US has urged its citizens to reconsider their travel to Pakistan mainly due to terrorism and risks to civil aviation operating within or near the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration said terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Pakistan.
“Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism,” the state department said in a latest travel advisory.