Pakistan expects increased number of high-level Saudi business delegations as bilateral ties strengthen
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan looks forward to continued visits by high-level economic delegations from Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to further explore investment opportunities facilitated under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this on Thursday.
The statement came days after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif concluded a visit to Riyadh and addressed the two-day World Economic Forum meeting that began on April 28.
During the visit, Mr. Sharif met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and several Saudi ministers and strengthened bilateral relations and economic ties between the two countries.
Ahead of his Saudi visit, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited Islamabad with a large delegation and said the Pakistani government’s determination to strengthen the economy would bring “huge benefits”.
“Saudi investors have been visiting Pakistan in recent months and are working with SIFC in exploring opportunities for Saudi investment in Pakistan, and this is an ongoing process, with similar high-level business delegations. We look forward to visiting Pakistan in the coming days and weeks as well,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters at a weekly media briefing.
He added that the two countries are engaged in a robust and mutually beneficial dialogue that has gained significant momentum in recent months.
“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in mutual discussions regarding expanding Saudi investments in Pakistan, including in the energy sector,” he added.
When asked about reports that Pakistan is offering military bases to the US, Baloch said it was a groundless rumor.
“Pakistan has no plans to provide any bases to other countries,” she continued.
Speaking about the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s summit in The Gambia, the spokesperson said the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar would highlight the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and the imperative of national solidarity and unity. It was. The Muslim Ummah, the rise of Islamophobia, the issue of climate change, terrorism, and other contemporary global challenges.
He said Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s escalating human rights violations and the increase in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“Israel’s actions violate international law, including humanitarian law and other relevant international law, and these actions undermine any prospects for a two-state solution,” she added.
