Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for expanding Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia beyond defense cooperation, urging a renewed focus on trade, business and investment. He said the kingdom was fully prepared to support Pakistan in advancing this shared economic vision.
According to Express News, the prime minister hosted a luncheon at Prime Minister House in honor of a high-level Saudi delegation on Wednesday. After the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz spoke to the guests, highlighting the strong and long-standing ties between the two countries.
“We are gathered here as a family,” the prime minister said, recalling his decades-long political career and previous visits to the kingdom. “I first visited Saudi Arabia in the late 1960s. I have been there many times since then, but the recent trip to Riyadh was unprecedented.”
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He praised the unwavering support Saudi Arabia has extended to Pakistan over the years, especially during difficult times, calling the relationship “unbreakable and based on enduring commitment.”
Referring to the recent defense agreement between the two countries, terming it as a formalization of their fraternal ties, the prime minister stated that the partnership would now focus on economic cooperation.
“Every Muslim is ready to sacrifice life for the protection of holy sites. Pakistan will always be ready to protect Makkah and Madinah,” he said.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the importance of turning shared economic aspirations into reality. “We will strengthen Pakistan-Saudi ties through business and investment. For this, both nations must work together in close collaboration.”
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He added that joint efforts in trade, investment, research and development would be a key focus going forward. “Today we have the opportunity to learn from Saudi Arabia, and we must make the most of it.” He also praised the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying: “His visionary leadership has reshaped Saudi society and opened new horizons.”
Speaking on behalf of the Saudi delegation, Prince Mansour bin Mohammed Al Saud, who leads the visiting team, reaffirmed the kingdom’s intention to deepen economic ties with Pakistan.
“We are here to attend the Pakistan-Saudi joint business meeting,” he said, adding that before his visit, meetings were held with all key Saudi ministers to discuss possible strategic projects in Pakistan.
The meeting reaffirmed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to deepening their partnership across sectors, with a shared focus on long-term strategic collaboration.
Prince Mansour assured that Saudi investors would be provided with all necessary facilities to invest in Pakistan, further strengthening the kingdom’s readiness to collaborate on long-term economic goals.
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz also met Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim al Sheikh.
The president expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and called the defense agreement a milestone in the long-standing relationship between the two nations. He said the agreement reflects the deep-rooted brotherhood between the people of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
He also emphasized the importance of further strengthening parliamentary relations and called for greater cooperation between the legislative institutions of both countries.
Both leaders agreed to promote regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations to build stronger institutional ties and foster mutual understanding.
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The prime minister said Pakistan attaches great importance to its defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, seeing it as a step that will further improve economic, strategic, defense and trade relations between the two fraternal countries.
During the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Riyadh, at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic mutual defense agreement,” declaring that “any aggression against any country will be considered aggression against both.”
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Minister Sardar Yusuf and other senior officials.
