Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in London on Thursday for a four-day official visit, following the conclusion of his state trip to Saudi Arabia, Express News reported.
During his stay in London, PM Shehbaz is expected to hold meetings with senior British officials, as well as interact with members of the Pakistani business community.
According to sources, the PM will later travel to the United States, where he will participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), set to take place in New York next week. According to sources familiar with the development, the premier is likely to meet US President Donald Trump on the margins of the upcoming UNGA session.
On his way to London, the premier made a brief stopover in Geneva to meet his elder brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, according to sources. Earlier, Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Prince Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, bid farewell to the premier at Riyadh Airport.
Shehbaz was in the Kingdom at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two leaders signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement — a landmark accord that is expected to deepen security and defence cooperation between the two nations.
During his meeting with the crown prince, the two leaders reviewed regional challenges and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation. Earlier in a post on X, the PM said he was “deeply touched” by the warm reception given to him by Saudi Crown Prince during his official one-day visit to Riyadh.
He described the unprecedented escort of his aircraft by Royal Saudi Air Force jets and the smart guard of the Saudi Armed Forces as proof of the “abiding love and mutual respect” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
He said his “most cordial talks” with the Crown Prince covered a wide range of issues, reviewing regional challenges and exploring ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.
The premier praised the Crown Prince’s “vision and leadership” in guiding the Muslim world and highlighted his “consistent support” and “keen interest” in expanding Saudi investment, trade and business ties with Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz added that he prays for Pakistan-Saudi Arabia friendship to “continue to flourish and attain new heights of glory.”
Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a landmark ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’, declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”,” according to a Pak-Saudi joint statement.
The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Read: Pakistan, KSA sign defence pact
“Building on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement’,” the statement read.
It added that the agreement “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have longstanding strategic and defense cooperation but the latest pact is seen as significant against the backdrop of recent developments including Israeli strikes on Qatar.
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A Saudi official, however, told Reuters that the agreement was not meant to respond to any specific event rather reflected the longstanding strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in bilateral ties, which have long rested on close defense and security cooperation. For decades, Pakistani military trainers have served in the kingdom, while Riyadh has extended generous financial support to Islamabad in times of economic crisis.
The timing of the agreement is notable, coming at a moment when both sides face continued security challenges.
The prime Minister’s visit, coupled with the signing of the pact, underlines Islamabad’s efforts to cement ties with the Kingdom at both political and security levels, even as both countries continue to explore expanded economic cooperation.
Earlier, the prime minister was escorted by Saudi Air Force jets when his plane entered Saudi airspace, in a rare gesture.
Later, the Saudi Crown Prince received Prime Minister Shehbaz, who was accompanied by COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where both sides held an official round of talks in the presence of their respective delegations.
Read More: ‘Attack on one is attack on both’: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink historic defence deal
“At the outset of the session, His Excellency the Prime Minister of Pakistan conveyed his greetings and warm wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” the joint statement said.
“The two sides reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, and several topics of common interest,” it added.
The Pakistani premier “expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation.”
Shehbaz also “conveyed his best wishes for the continued well-being of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the continued progress and prosperity, for the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
In turn, the Saudi Crown Prince “extended his warm wishes for the good health and well-being of His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and for further progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Pakistan.”
