MAKKAH:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed their shared commitment to elevating the multifaceted strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during a high-level meeting in Makkah on Friday. The talks were held as part of PM Shehbaz’s two-day official visit to the Kingdom following the conclusion of Hajj.
According to an official statement, both leaders emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation across political, economic, and security domains, aligning with the shared vision of their leadership and the aspirations of the peoples of both nations. The meeting highlighted the enduring fraternal and strategic bond between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz extended warm Eid-ul-Adha greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while commending Saudi Arabia’s exceptional hospitality and logistical arrangements for pilgrims from around the world. He praised the efforts of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for ensuring a safe and spiritually rewarding Hajj experience.
PM Shehbaz expressed deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s proactive diplomatic role in easing recent tensions between Pakistan and India. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “responsible restraint” in response to Indian provocations, reiterating that sustainable peace in South Asia can only be achieved through constructive dialogue.
The two leaders also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, expressing grave concern over the ongoing crisis. They called upon the international community to uphold its moral and legal responsibilities in ending the suffering of the Palestinian people. Both reiterated their firm support for a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, grounded in the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
In a gesture symbolizing deep bilateral ties, PM Shehbaz extended a formal invitation to the Crown Prince to visit Pakistan, which he graciously accepted—further reinforcing the resolve to strengthen strategic cooperation.
The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
During the visit, PM Shehbaz and the delegation also performed Umrah. In a rare honor, the door of the Holy Kaaba was specially opened for them. The prime minister offered Nawafil prayers and thanked the Almighty for the nation’s recent progress in the economic and social sectors, praying for continued prosperity and unity under what he described as Bunyanum Marsoos—a reference to national resilience.
