Strategic boost for Saudi-Pakistan relations
ROUSING RECEPTION FOR CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMAD AS HE ARRIVES IN ISLAMABAD AS PART OF ASIAN TOUR
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad was greeted with a booming 21-gun salute and a rousing red-carpet welcome in Islamabad last night as he arrived on a two-day visit to Pakistan.
The crown prince was warmly embraced by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa as he stepped onto a red carpet flanked by an honour guard at a military airbase near Islamabad. A formation of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft escorted his plane as it entered Pakistani airspace.
The historic visit by Prince Mohammad, who is accompanied by a Saudi delegation of ministers and businessmen, points to a long-standing and close relationship that continues to build on strategic ties the two countries share.
The Saudi Crown Prince is expected to hold separate meetings with Imran, President Arif Alvi and General Bajwa. A series of multi-billion dollar deals in the fields of investment and finance, power and renewable energy, internal security, culture, and sports tourism are expected to be signed.
Our relations with Saudi Arabia are not based on the exigencies of time but are time-tested… The generous deposit of $3 billion [Dh11 billion] and supply of oil on deferred payment is reflective of the desire of the kingdom to see a strong, vibrant and prosperous Pakistan.” Imran Khan | Pakistan Prime Minister
“The two countries have pledged to strengthen their economic ties with a preferential trade agreement and the total value of bilateral trade stands at around $2.5 billion. This is thus the most appropriate time and opportunity to boost bilateral trade relations.” Anjum Nisar | Chairman of FPCCI Businessmen Panel
Cause for celebration
Pakistan is facing a serious balance of payments crisis and hopes its longtime ally Saudi Arabia will throw the economy a lifeline, specifically in the form of a $10 billion investment in a refinery and oil complex in the port of Gwadar.
A meeting of the newly formed Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SCC) will be headed by Imran and Prince Mohammad. In an interview with Saudi news media, Imran described the visit as a “manifestation of the strength” of the ties between the two countries.
Prince Mohammad’s visit has been a cause for celebration for Islamabad’s residents. The Pakistani capital was decked with huge banners and portraits of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Saudi crown prince, Alvi and Imran, as well as Pakistani and Saudi flags.
Prince Mohammad will travel to India after Pakistan, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is expected to finish the trip with a visit to China on Thursday and Friday.