Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink multiple accords to boost bilateral ties
PM Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince hold delegation-level talks: COAS General Bajwa also attend talks
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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked a string of agreements as Prime Minister Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held delegation-level talks to discuss bilateral relations, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
The two countries signed multiple agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, media, prisoners exchange and others. Both PM Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman witnessed the signing of the agreements inked by the relevant ministers from both sides.
Both the countries signed an agreement to form Supreme Coordination Council to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in multiple fields.
وزیر اعظم عمران خان کا دورہ سعودی عرب
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 7, 2021
پاکستان اور سعودی عرب کے درمیان مختلف معاہدوں اور مفاہمتی یاداشتوں پر دستخط#PMIKinKSA#رئيس_وزراء_باكستان_في_السعودية pic.twitter.com/Bx2C0NxHH1
An agreement for the exchange of convicted prisoners was also signed between the two countries besides another agreement to counter the crimes.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed a framework agreement on energy projects besides another one in the field of environmental protection.
Read More: PM Imran Khan to visit Saudi Arabia soon: Saudi envoy
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit Friday, led his delegation in the talks held at the Royal Court in Jeddah, while the Crown Prince led the Saudi side.
Delegation-level Talks between Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 7, 2021
🇵🇰🤝🇸🇦#PMIKinKSA#رئيس_وزراء_باكستان_في_السعودية pic.twitter.com/nmCgfygOaQ
The Pakistani delegation comprised Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, among others.
The talks covered bilateral cooperation, including economy, trade, investment, energy and job opportunities for the Pakistani workforce, and the welfare of Pakistani diaspora in the Kingdom.
To that end, we welcome an agreement to establish the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council, co-chaired by our PM and the Crown Prince, focussing on 3 key pillars: political/security, economic and cultural/social; this new structure will allow for greater collaboration. https://t.co/cXm5lJ8bK3
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 7, 2021
Accompanied by Qureshi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Senator Faisal Javed, the prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince.
He was received at the Jeddah airport by Mohammad Bin Salman. This is the prime minister’s third official visit to the kingdom since he came to power in August 2018.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI arrived at Royal Court, Al-Salam Palace, where delegation-level talks were held between the PM and the Crown Prince.
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 7, 2021
MoUs were also signed for enhancing bilateral socio-economic cooperation. 🇵🇰🤝🇸🇦#PMIKinKSA#رئيس_وزراء_باكستان_في_السعودية pic.twitter.com/tXRTclrcri
During the visit, the prime minister will also meet the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, Secretary-General of the World Muslim League Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Medina. He will interact with the Pakistani diaspora in Jeddah.
He will also perform Umrah in Makkah and pay his respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (Peace be Upon Him) in Madinah Munawwara.
AFP adds: On his seventh visit to the wealthy kingdom since his 2018 election, Prime Minister Imran Khan was given a warm welcome by Saudi officials in Jeddah. He was greeted by Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the airport, before holding talks with Saudi officials at Jeddah's Al-Salam Palace.
"They affirmed the depth of relations between the two brotherly countries and underscored the importance of expanding and intensifying aspects of bilateral cooperation and coordination," a Saudi statement said.
Khan's visit appeared to have restored cooperation between the two Islamic countries that are both heavily engaged in the "war on terror" which requires effective intelligence sharing. "The two sides stressed the need for concerted efforts by the Islamic world to confront extremism and violence, and reject sectarianism," the Saudi statement said.
"During the meeting, it was agreed to further strengthen, deepen and diversify the existing bilateral political, economic, trade, defence and security ties," a Pakistani statement said. "The talks were marked by exceptional cordiality and a commitment to fortify the upward trajectory in the bilateral relationship," it added.
"The prime minister of Pakistan's visit to Saudi Arabia is an important milestone in bilateral relations," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan tweeted Saturday. "The kingdom is keen to further strengthen relations between the brotherly countries as well as enable broader economic cooperation."
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Reporter Awais Kiyani