PTBP Web Desk

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday at the invitation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit underscores Pakistan’s longstanding ties with the Kingdom and the shared desire to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince. The two leaders will review the “entire spectrum” of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations, covering political, economic, security, and cultural dimensions.

The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to formalize cooperation in diverse fields, ranging from trade and investment to energy and defense. The FO highlighted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share “fraternal ties” rooted in historical, religious, and cultural bonds.

“The visit of the Prime Minister will provide an important opportunity to the two leaders to consolidate this unique partnership, while exploring new avenues of collaboration for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries,” the ministry noted.

This means the talks will not only reaffirm the traditional friendship but also expand it into practical economic ventures at a time when Pakistan is seeking foreign investment to stabilize its economy.

Sources suggest that the agenda of the bilateral meeting may cover:

• Expansion of Saudi investments in Pakistan, particularly in energy and infrastructure.
• Strengthening defense and security cooperation.
• Increasing employment opportunities for Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia.
• Collaboration in the Vision 2030 framework, which could open new avenues in technology and renewable energy.
• Regional and global developments, including the Middle East security situation and broader Islamic world concerns.

Both sides are expected to announce concrete agreements after the visit, signaling a new phase in their strategic partnership.

The Foreign Office confirmed that Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will also exchange views on regional and global developments. These discussions are expected to cover the evolving Middle East dynamics, the role of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and efforts to maintain peace in the wider region.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have often worked together in multilateral platforms, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and OIC, to advocate for issues concerning the Muslim world. This alignment is likely to be further emphasized during the visit.

The Prime Minister and the Crown Prince most recently met on September 15, during the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha. On that occasion, Shehbaz Sharif thanked Saudi Arabia for its consistent support to Pakistan, particularly during times of economic and diplomatic challenges.

The Saudi Crown Prince, in turn, appreciated Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic role at the UNSC and OIC, particularly its solidarity with Qatar during recent developments. He also expressed anticipation for Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit, describing it as an important moment to advance bilateral relations.

Saudi Arabia has been one of Pakistan’s most reliable allies, extending support in the form of financial assistance, oil supplies, and investments. In recent years, the Kingdom has helped Pakistan stabilize its foreign exchange reserves through deposits and deferred oil payments.

With Pakistan facing economic challenges, including a growing trade deficit and reliance on international lenders such as the IMF, the importance of Saudi support has grown significantly. This visit may bring fresh assurances of investment, trade facilitation, and economic cooperation.

Diplomatic analysts believe the visit may open new doors in the following areas:

• Energy cooperation: Saudi Arabia could play a key role in Pakistan’s energy security by investing in oil refineries and renewable energy projects.
• Employment and remittances: Millions of Pakistanis work in Saudi Arabia, and expanded labor agreements would ensure steady remittances back home.
• Defense partnership: Enhanced military collaboration, including training programs, could strengthen bilateral security ties.
• Cultural exchange: Expanding cultural and educational programs could deepen people-to-people connections.

The visit may also see discussions around large-scale projects under Saudi Vision 2030, offering Pakistan opportunities in tourism, IT, and skilled workforce supply.

For Pakistan, this state visit is crucial in reinforcing its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia at a time when regional politics are rapidly evolving. The Crown Prince’s invitation itself is a signal of Riyadh’s recognition of Islamabad’s role in the Muslim world.

For Saudi Arabia, deepening ties with Pakistan ensures reliable cooperation from a long-standing ally, while advancing the Kingdom’s own regional and global aspirations.