PM leaves for Saudi Arabia today on three-day visit
ISLAMABAD, MAY 7: Prime Minister Imran Khan is leaving for Saudi Arabia on Friday (today) on a three-day visit (May 7-9) and a number of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be inked between the two countries during his visit.
It is expected that the visit
will serve to improve “strained” relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
that were shaken in the recent past due to several reasons.
According to the Prime Minister
Office, Mr Khan is visiting Saudi Arabia on the invitation of Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman who struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom’s
arch-nemesis Iran last week, saying he sought “good” relations, after the
rivals held secret talks in Baghdad. Iran welcomed Saudi Arabia’s “change of
tone”.
During the visit, Prime Minister Khan will be accompanied by a delegation, including the foreign minister and other members of his cabinet.
- Trip likely to improve ‘strained’ ties with kingdom
The prime minister’s
consultations with the Saudi leadership will cover all areas of bilateral
cooperation, including economics, trade, investment, energy, job opportunities
for Pakistani workforce and welfare of Pakistani diaspora in the kingdom. The
two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of
mutual interest.
During the visit, the prime
minister will also meet Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen, Secretary General of the World Muslim
League Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques in
Makkah and Madina. Mr Khan will also interact with members of Pakistani
diaspora in Jeddah. He will also raise the issue of Islamophobia in the West,
including a recent resolution of European Parliament that called for withdrawal
of GSP plus status of Pakistan.
The PMO’s press release said
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had long-standing and historic fraternal relations,
rooted deep in common faith, shared history and mutual support. “The people of
Pakistan hold the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the highest esteem. The
relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields and mutual
collaboration on regional and international issues, in particular those faced
by the Muslim Ummah. Saudi Arabia is a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu
and Kashmir,” it added.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than
two million Pakistanis, contributing to progress and prosperity of both
countries. Regular high-level bilateral visits play a pivotal role in providing
impetus to the fraternal ties and close cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi
Arabia.
According to media reports,
Pakistani-Saudi relations have been complex all along but since 2015, when the
Pakistani parliament restricted the military from participating in the war in
Yemen, its relations with Saudi Arabia have soured. Military conflict in Yemen
is said to be one of the reasons behind strained relations between Saudi Arabia
and Pakistan.
Last year Pakistan had expected
Riyadh to support it in dealing with India over the Kashmir crisis. In
particular, Pakistan had sought a supportive meeting with the Council of
Foreign Ministers of the OIC. After Saudi Arabia turned down the request,
Pakistan repeated its demand, which in turn resulted in Riyadh calling for
repayment of $1 billion loan. Consequently, Pakistan repaid the loan while
using the amount obtained under a new loan — this time from China.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Khan
has announced that the government will provide Rs25,000 funeral grant to the
overseas Pakistanis to help the needy ones bury their loved ones with dignity.
In a tweet, the prime minister said: “Our govt is moving forward in service delivery for overseas Pakistanis. Funeral grant of PKR 25,000 has been approved to be given from Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.”
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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