Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to strengthen 'economic facet' of ties

"We hope to build on the momentum of strong bonds based on our brotherhood."

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to strengthen their relationship particularly in economic domain including cooperation in trade, investment and technology.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a joint presser held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, vowed to continue extending support to each other on issues of regional and international importance.

Prince Farhan, who arrived in Islamabad this morning, earlier led the delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Qureshi that encompassed diverse gamut of matters.

The Saudi foreign minister said, “We hope to build on the momentum of strong bonds based on our brotherhood, as the two countries have always stood by each other in difficult times.”

He termed the delegation-level talks as “very, very fruitful discussions” held on bilateral matters with all areas of broader spectrum came under discussion, with special focus on economic ties.

The Saudi foreign minister said his government would encourage the businessmen from both sides to explore opportunities of investment in areas of technology.

He also assured extending facilitation to the Pakistani travelers, especially in areas of visa restrictions related to the COVID-19 vaccination.

On climate change, he expressed the Saudi commitment to continue working with Pakistan as the country pursued the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan of achieving goals of preservation of environment.

In his welcome remarks, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed commonalities in their relationship based on religion, culture and history.

Qureshi said the two countries stood by each other in difficult times, adding that Pakistan was committed to the security and solidarity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

He lauded the active role played by Saudi Arabia for peace in the region, particularly reducing tension in the Gulf.

He expressed gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia for supporting Pakistan’s stance on India’s illegal act of revocation of the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The visit of Saudi Foreign Minister holds special significance in the backdrop of the recent visit of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia in May 2021.

It will provide a timely opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation in line with the vision of the leadership of the two countries.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support.

He said the relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields and mutual collaboration on regional and international issues.

Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Saudi Arabia is a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir and has steadfastly supported the Kashmir cause. Frequent high-level visits are a key feature of the relationship that serves to further deepen and broaden the relationship in myriad dimensions.

The spokesperson said the visit of the Saudi Foreign Minister will reinforce the positive momentum in high-level exchanges and the deepening of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.