On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Field Marshal Asim Munir, to engage in discussions regarding bilateral relations and regional developments with Saudi leaders.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will join the delegation in Madina Munawwara, where he is making a brief stop after completing his visit to Jordan for the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem.
During this visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The discussions will aim to strengthen Pakistan-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations and exchange perspectives on regional and international developments of shared interest. This visit underscores Pakistan’s enduring partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, built on decades of mutual trust, cooperation, and brotherhood.
Although the visit occurs amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, its significance extends beyond immediate crises and short-term considerations.
It aims to further enhance bilateral relations, deepen strategic cooperation, improve coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and bolster multilateral collaboration.
Prior to his departure, Prime Minister Shehbaz convened an emergency meeting in Islamabad to assess the evolving regional situation and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated during the weekly media briefing that Pakistan remains committed to playing a diplomatic role in initiatives aimed at restoring stability in the Middle East. He also acknowledged Oman’s constructive involvement in the changing regional landscape.
Separately, the spokesperson rejected India’s remarks on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections as baseless, saying the electoral process was being conducted in a transparent manner.
He said India had no moral justification for making such statements and could not divert attention from the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by spreading what he described as misinformation about developments in Azad Kashmir.
Responding to a question on Bangladesh, Andrabi said the people of Bangladesh were fully capable of resolving their own affairs.