ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan called on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Jeddah and discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral trade, investment and stronger economic ties, a statement from the PM Office said on Wednesday. Upon arrival at the Royal Court, he was presented a salute by the Royal Saudi guards and national anthems of the two countries were played. This is the first foreign visit of Imran Khan to any country after assuming charge as prime minister of Pakistan. The two-day visit is on the invitation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. The prime minister will also hold wide-ranging talks with the King and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, who also holds the portfolios of Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence. The king will also host a state banquet for the prime minister at the Royal Court. Soon after his arrival in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan paid his respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (Peace be upon Him) and later performed Umrah. Doors of the Holy Kaaba and the Roza-e-Rasool (Peace be upon Him) were specially opened for the prime minister and members of his delegation. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Adviser for Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood accompanied the prime minister. Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hasham bin Siddique and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki also attended the meeting. Separately, Minister for Finance Asad Umar met Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan in Jeddah. During the meeting they discussed aspects of financial and economic cooperation between the two countries in the framework of close and historical relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a report carried by state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. Minister for Finance Asad Umar was in Saudi Arabia as part of the delegation of Prime Minister Imran Khan currently on a visit to the Kingdom. Published in Daily Times, September 20th 2018.