By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, leading a delegation to bolster economic ties and thank the Kingdom for its critical role in defusing recent hostilities with India.
The two-day visit, overlapping with Eid al-Adha, highlights the deepening bond between Islamabad and Riyadh. He is set to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the trip, which runs from June 5-6.
Sharif’s trip follows a tense period of conflict with India, marked by missile and drone strikes and artillery exchanges, the worst since 1999. The violence, which erupted between the nuclear-armed neighbors, ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10. Saudi Arabia, alongside other Gulf states, quietly helped de-escalate the crisis, earning praise from Sharif.
“The Prime Minister will also express gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its constructive role in de-escalating the recent Pakistan-India conflict,” the foreign office said in a statement.
During the visit, set for June 5-6, Sharif will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to express gratitude and discuss expanding cooperation. “Discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, the welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and regional peace and security.”
The foreign office said the visit underscores the deep-rooted, time-tested ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, anchored in shared faith, mutual respect, and strategic partnership.” It reaffirms the leadership’s commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic engagement, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s development priorities.”
Last October, the two nations signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion, linking Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversification plan with Pakistan’s development goals. With 2.7 million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia—Pakistan’s top source of remittances, the partnership carries significant weight.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir will join Sharif. “We’re going to thank them for their support and solidarity,” Dar told reporters in Islamabad.
The India-Pakistan clash had threatened wider instability until US President Donald Trump stepped in, leveraging trade incentives to secure the ceasefire. Speaking at a U.S. embassy event in Islamabad on Wednesday, Sharif praised Trump’s mediation. “He has shown he is a man for peace and beneficial business,” Sharif said.
The prime minister also highlighted the Gulf’s role. “Friendly nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE actively supported Trump’s efforts,” he said, expressing hope for a lasting ceasefire that could spur trade and investment.
The foreign office said PM Sharif’s visit is expected to further solidify Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and open new avenues for multifaceted collaboration.
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