Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Meet MBS in Saudi Arabia as Pakistan Seeks Stronger Strategic Ties
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir will hold high-level talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a three-day official visit.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to hold high-level talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
High-Level Pakistan Delegation Heads to Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8 alongside Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Foreign Office announced on Thursday.
The high-level delegation will also include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is already in Saudi Arabia after completing an official visit to Jordan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The meeting will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and reviewing regional and international developments of mutual interest.
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Talks to Focus on Strategic Cooperation
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the visit reflects the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, built on decades of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood.
He said discussions would cover political, economic, defence and strategic cooperation. Both sides will also exchange views on regional security and key international issues.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit will help deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance coordination on matters affecting the wider region.
Visit Comes Amid Regional Tensions
The visit takes place as tensions continue across the Middle East and the Gulf region. Despite the challenging security environment, Pakistani officials believe the visit carries significance beyond the immediate crisis.
Saudi Arabia recently announced plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition to safeguard shipping lanes and energy supply routes in the Red Sea. Pakistan is among the 14 countries that have expressed support for the initiative.
Islamabad has also reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and the protection of international maritime trade through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Defence Partnership Continues to Grow
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have expanded defence cooperation in recent years. The two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement last year, and the agreement became operational earlier this year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last visited Saudi Arabia in April, when he held meetings with the kingdom’s senior leadership to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Officials expect the latest visit to reinforce political, economic and security ties while further advancing the long-standing strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh.
