PM Sharif arrives in Saudi Arabia on maiden foreign trip

MEDINA: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif landed in Saudia Arabia in early hours of Sunday ahead of a three-day foreign visit, marking his first foreign trip since assuming office for the second consecutive time.

The premier was accompanied by a delegation consisting of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. During the visit, the PM hopes to strengthen Pakistan’s bilateral ties with the kingdom, especially in areas of economic investment.

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The PM and his delegation were welcomed by Governor of Medina Prince Salman bin Sultan upon arrival.

Sharif’s itinerary includes meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss matters of mutual interest, regional dynamics, and global developments. Moreover, Sharif is expected to perform the holy pilgrimage Umrah and offer prayers at Masjid-i-Nabwi.

The details of the maiden foreign visit was given in a press release issued by the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.

The inflation-hit Pakistan is actively pursuing avenues for economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, minerals, and aviation. Pakistani government aiming to secure over $1 billion from Saudi investors, in particular, the Reko Diq Copper-Gold Project in Balochistan.

The Reko Diq project is situated near Reko Diq town in Balochistan and holds huge reserves of copper and gold. It is considered one of the largest in the world. Estimates suggest that the mine holds approximately 5.9 billion tonnes of copper ore and an estimated 1,176 tonnes of gold.

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The finance minister is expected to present a comprehensive briefing to Saudi investors, outlining the incentives available for participation in the Reko Diq project.

This aligns with Pakistan’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment and encourage economic growth through the Special Investment Facilitation Council.