Daily Times

Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on Sunday said Saudi Arabia has signed investment agreements worth $20 billion during his high-profile visit to Islamabad.

Kicking off his tour of South Asia and China with a far higher Pakistan investment than expected, the crown prince said the $20 billion figure represents only the start of an economic tie-up that would bring the historic Muslim allies even closer.

“It’s big for phase 1, and definitely it will grow every month and every year, and it will be beneficial to both countries,” said the crown prince while speaking at a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Imran Khan in his honour here at the PM House. “We have been a brotherly country, a friendly country to Pakistan. We’ve walked together in tough and good times, and we (will) continue,” he said.

Prince Muhammad said Saudi Arabia desires an economically and politically strong Pakistan. He said Pakistan has a great future under its new leadership. He also highlighted the tourism potentials of Saudi Arabia which hosted vast historic heritage, amazing nature and adequate infrastructure with economic stability and financial resources. He said it is his maiden tour to the region and it is Pakistan where he has arrived first after becoming the crown prince.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while welcoming the Saudi crown prince, said it is a great day for the Pakistani people. “Saudi Arabia has always been a friend in need, which is why we value it so much,” said Khan, while seated next to Prince Muhammad. “I want to thank you for the way you helped us when we were in bad situation,” he said.

Imran Khan said Saudi Arabia and its people live in the hearts of Pakistanis not only because Makkah and Madina are in Saudi Arabia but owing to the fact that the Kingdom has always been supporting Pakistan in the hour of need. He said with the last six months in power, the greatest moment for him was to visit Makkah and Madina where he was allowed to go to the roof of Holy Ka’aba and for which he was personally thankful to the Kingdom. He also thanked the crown prince for the financial support the Kingdom extended recently to Pakistan.

The prime minister said with such cooperation and growing partnership, both the countries are taking their ties to such a level which has never been seen before. He said with the brilliant prospects and excellent opportunities in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia to participate in the regional development.

Prime Minister Imran Khan referred to the problems of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and requested that their immigration should be done in three big cities in Pakistan. He also mentioned the problems faced by Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia, whom he said he considers very close to his heart and who are very special to him. He said about two million Pakistanis are living in Saudi Arabia and requested the crown prince to look into their issues. He also requested the crown prince to take measures for the early release of 3,000 Pakistani prisoners jailed in Saudi Arabia.

The crown prince, in response, assured the prime minister that Saudi Arabia will do whatever it can to address these issues.

The prime minister said the signing of MoUs between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and investments in diverse areas, including minerals and tourism sectors, will be mutually beneficial for the two brotherly nations.

He referred to his conversation with the Saudi crown prince as he drove him from the Nur Khan Airbase to the PM House and said Prince Muhammad has a passion for tourism. The prime minister said Pakistan with the world’s highest peaks has great tourism potential, particularly in the mountain tourism.

Published in Daily Times, February 18^th 2019.