Saudi Crown Prince MBS visit to Pakistan postponed

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s (MBS) much-anticipated visit to Pakistan has been deferred, sources told The News on Saturday.

The sources had earlier indicated that MBS would arrive in Islamabad on May 19 for two days. However, no schedule was cited regarding his visit.

Commenting on the visit of the Saudi crown prince, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch, on Friday, clarified that details regarding the visit will be made public as soon as a schedule is worked out between Islamabad and Riyadh.

Baloch was confident that the visit would take place soon and it would surely be very valuable as the people of Pakistan are anxiously waiting for the leader from the brotherly country.

The development comes days after Geo News reported about the crown prince’s potential visit to Islamabad, as he was expected to arrive between May 10 to 15.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia enjoy a special bond: PM

MBS’ visit was likely to take place after the recent diplomatic and trade-related engagements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were at the peak in recent weeks following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom in March.

The expected visit of the top dignitary, which has now been delayed, possesses vital importance to Pakistan eyeing big investment from Saudi Arabia in diverse fields.

It would be the first visit of Mohammad Bin Salman to Pakistan in five years as he last time visited the country in February 2019 during the rule of former prime minister Imran Khan.

It would also materialise the understanding between both countries in Makkah for attracting Saudi investments worth $5 billion in Pakistan in the coming days.