Summary It is for first time that a key figure of royal family received any Pakistani dignitary.
JEDDAH (Web Desk) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and exchanged views on the solutions to challenges facing Muslim Ummah and ways and means for bolstering cooperation between two countries in diverse fields.
PM Nawaz Sharif was accorded extraordinary protocol on his arrival in Saudi Arabia on a private visit.
A leading figure of royal family and governor Mecca prince Khalid Al Faisal received Nawaz Sharif. It is for the first time during that a key figure of royal family has received any Pakistani dignitary on his arrival therein. Earlier governor Jeddah, Mashal bin Majid had been discharging this obligation whose status is equivalent to mayor Jeddah.
Foreign media said receiving Nawaz Sharif by Khalid Al Faisal is being seen as a specific sign of former relations with royal family.
PM Nawaz Sharif also met Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz in Makkatul Mukarrama and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. Finance minister Ishaq Dar and Hussain Nawaz were also present on the occasion.
Nawaz Sharif said both the countries had supported each other in trying time and the two countries are enjoying excellent ties in all the spheres.
The relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are not only political but they are embedded in the hearts of people of the two countries, he remarked.
Saudi King and Crown Prince congratulated Nawaz Sharif on becoming prime minister for the third term.
This is the second foreign tour of Nawaz Sharif after assumption of officer of prime minister. He had flown to China during his first off shore visit. Pakistani media and journalists circles were expressing wonder over this that as to why Nawaz Sharif had undertaken visit of China first of all instead of Saudi Arabia. Traditionally Pakistani rulers had been visiting Saudi Arabia during their first foreign visit earlier and China comes on second number of foreign tour schedule.
Sources close to PML-N said PM Nawaz Sharif had done so due to holy month of Ramadan. Nawaz was desirous for spending last Ashra of Ramadan on the holy land of Makkatul Mukarrama and Medina. Nawaz took the oath of his office in the first week of June and he has arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday night after two months of having been sworn in as prime minister.
Saudi media particularly highlighted Nawaz Sharif special relations with royal family of Saudi Arabia.
