Pakistan, Saudi Arabia vow to strengthen 'historic bonds'
Saudi Arabia and longstanding ally Pakistan signed several agreements Saturday and vowed to reset ties strained by months of disagreement over policy on the Kashmir dispute.
RIYADH, MAY 9: Pakistan's prime
minister met the crown prince of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Saturday to discuss
bilateral, regional, and international issues, including the Afghan peace dialogue
and the Kashmir dispute.
Imran Khan and Mohammed bin
Salman reaffirmed the strong and historic bonds between the two countries
rooted firmly in shared beliefs, common values, mutual trust, and longstanding
tradition of mutual support, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's
Office.
Khan, who is on a three-day visit
to the oil-rich kingdom, reiterated Pakistan's "abiding" support for
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
He outlined his vision for a
peaceful region to advance objectives of national economic development and
highlighted Islamabad's "consistent" efforts to support peace and
reconciliation in Afghanistan.
He also stressed the need for
peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
The two sides agreed to further
strengthen, deepen, and diversify their existing bilateral political, economic,
trade, defense, and security ties, according to the statement.
Special emphasis was laid on
increasing Saudi investments in Pakistan, collaboration in the field of energy,
and increased job opportunities for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, it added.
Khan also thanked the Saudi
leadership for taking considerate measures for the welfare of Pakistani
expatriates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two leaders signed the
Agreement on Establishment of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council
(SPSCC), the statement added.
The council, co-chaired by the
premier and the crown prince, is "designed to impart strategic direction
to the development of Pakistan-Saudi relations."
They also witnessed the signing
of a number of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU).
These included an "agreement
on Cooperation in the Field of Combating Crimes; agreement on Transfer of
Convicted Individuals (Prisoners); MoU on Combating Illicit Traffic in Narcotic
Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals; and Framework MoU for
financing of projects (totaling up to $500 million) in energy, hydropower
generation, infrastructure, transport and communication and water resource
development."
The Pakistani prime minister also invited the Saudi crown prince to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, the statement added.
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COURTESY Anews
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