RIYADH: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met in Riyadh on Monday to review the ‘full spectrum’ of bilateral relations in addition to regional and international issues, said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM Abbasi, who was on a day-long visit to the Kingdom, was accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar.
The two heads of states discussed ways and means to further enhance relations in diverse fields. The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of the Saudi leadership in bringing peace and stability to the region and assured the Saudi king of Pakistan’s full support in this regard.
The Saudi king praised Pakistan’s efforts in routing the menace of terrorism and extremism from its soil.
Later, PM Abbasi also met Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. Both leaders discussed the crown prince’s plan for national economic transformation titled ‘Vision 2030’. PM Abbasi offered Pakistan’s technical and human resource assistance to the Kingdom in achieving the plan.
Abbasi also appreciated the efforts and dedication of the crown prince in launching a unified platform of Muslim countries in the form of the Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism (IMCTC).
The crown prince, while appreciating Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism and its active participation in IMCTC, said, “Saudi Arabia and other countries of the coalition look forward to learn from Pakistan’s experience in this field.”
He underscored the fact that there was a great potential for further strengthening of our bilateral relations, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment and defence.
Later, the Saudi king hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting prime minister and his delegation
Monday’s visit was PM Abbasi’s second visit to the Kingdom. Earlier, the Prime Minister had visited Saudi Arabia soon after assuming office.
Published in Daily Times, November 28th 2017.