Daily Times

Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday arrived in Madina Munawara on a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia to represent Pakistan at a key investment conference being held in Riyadh from October 23 to 25.

Upon arrival at the airport, the prime minister was received by Governor Madina Prince Faisal Bin Salman and Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan Nawaf Al-Maliki. Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan and other officials from the Pakistan Consulate were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister will participate in the Future Investment Initiative Conference being attended by top global investors, CEOs of top companies and representatives of the hi-tech industry. Imran Khan is undertaking the visit on the special invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, a statement from the PM Office said.

Being dubbed as the ‘Davos in Desert’, the event would provide an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation with world’s leading investment companies and entrepreneurs. Pakistan will seek investment from these companies in its diverse areas. The debate will also have a session on Pakistan’s investment climate and stability and opportunities for foreign direct investment into the country. Earlier, a statement from the Foreign Office said the prime minister would also call on King Salman and meet Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Matters of mutual interest will be discussed.

Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday had a telephone call with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and discussed issues of mutual interest. Both sides expressed satisfaction on the existing momentum in relations between the two countries, a statement issued by the PM’s Office said. The prime minister shared his government’s vision and priorities with the crown prince. The crown prince assured him of UAE’s support and hoped that the new government would be successful in implementing its reform agenda.

Published in Daily Times, October 23^rd 2018.