Pakistan has constituted an 18-member committee to carry out bilateral economic engagements and negotiations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a notification issued on Sunday by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
According to the notification, the committee will be co-chaired by Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik and the national coordinator for Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ahmad.
The notification, dated October 5, said that the co-chairs “shall constitute core/negotiation teams for negotiations with the Saudi counterparts”.
These teams, per the notification, shall be responsible for implementing and executing the assigned tasks on a fast-track basis.
“The prime minister has directed that the SIFC shall submit proposals for the travel of members of the committee from Pakistan to KSA and back, and the PMO will ensure that these are processed/approved within one hour of the same working day,” the notification further said.
Per the notification, Economic Affairs Division Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (Minister of State) for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Power Minister Awais Ahmed Leghari, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, Communication Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, and Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja will also be part of the committee, among other members.
Saudi Shura Council delegation arrives in Pakistan
A high-level parliamentary delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, led by Chairman Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh arrived in Islamabad on Monday on the special invitation of Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq warmly welcomed the delegation upon arrival at the Parliament House, where Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki was also present.
In a symbolic gesture of friendship, the Parliament House was illuminated in green lights to honour the visit – a sign of love and solidarity with Saudi Arabia, described by officials as a “brotherly Islamic nation.”
During their stay, the Saudi delegation is scheduled to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir.
The discussions will focus on enhancing parliamentary cooperation, strengthening bilateral relations, and promoting peace and development in the region.