PM Shehbaz praises Saudi economic support, highlights strong defense partnership

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support in strengthening the country’s economic stability during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, while reaffirming the close defense and security partnership between the two nations, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X-Day.

The statement comes a day after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pledged $3 billion in deposits, the disbursement of which is expected next week. The current $5 billion Saudi deposit will no longer be subject to the previous annual renewal agreement, but will be extended for a longer period.

During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom” and expressed “his deep gratitude for your patience and restraint, under the astute leadership of His Royal Highness, in these difficult times,” the statement added.

He also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s continued economic support. “I also expressed my sincere gratitude for the Kingdom’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic stability, while highlighting the unique defense and security relationship between our two countries,” the statement read.

In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a historic “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” declaring that “any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both.” The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Pakistan has sent fighter jets and other military forces to Saudi Arabia to bolster security under the defense pact between the two countries, the kingdom’s Defense Ministry confirmed on April 11.

Read more: Pakistan in full diplomatic gear

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen what was described as an “enduring partnership” between Islamabad and Riyadh.

The prime minister also briefed the Saudi leadership about Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts. “I reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to advancing its efforts to encourage both the United States and Iran toward an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region,” he said, while expressing gratitude for the Crown Prince’s support for Pakistan’s peace initiatives.

The prime minister is on a three-nation tour until Friday, during which he will also visit Qatar and Turkiye amid ongoing Middle East peace negotiations.

The prime minister’s meeting with the Saudi prince comes four days after the United States and Iran were unable to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon negotiations that lasted around 21 hours. The protracted talks, aimed at stopping hostilities that have killed thousands of people and sent global oil prices soaring over the past six weeks, ended with both sides blaming each other for the stalemate.

On April 11, delegations from the United States and Iran arrived in Pakistan for conclusive talks following an immediate two-week ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon,” announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz, who later invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.

Also read: Foreign Minister Dar calls on US, Iran to respect ceasefire commitment after talks end without deal

The United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and leaving tens of thousands injured, including civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites.

The conflict also expanded geographically. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks against Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also visited Madinah from Jeddah as part of his official visit to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement issued by the PMO. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister and his delegation were received by the Governor of Medina, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

During his stay, the Prime Minister visited Masjid an-Nabawi, where he offered prayers and supplicated for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, as well as for peace and harmony across the world.

The statement said special arrangements were made for the prime minister and his delegation, including access to Rawdah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where he offered prayers and sent greetings to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The prime minister is scheduled to conclude his visit to Saudi Arabia and leave Medina for Doha, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The visit is part of the prime minister’s broader diplomatic engagements in the region, the PMO statement added.