Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on in Jeddah, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, energy, and security. 

The meeting, also attended by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, yielded significant agreements.

Both leaders emphasized bolstering military cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh.  PM Sharif praised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increased investment in key Pakistani sectors, highlighting the growing economic partnership between the two nations. 

“We had a most productive discussion on ways to further strengthen Pakistani-Saudi Arabia ties in trade, investment, energy and security,” Shehbaz wrote X.

MBS acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia.  The two leaders also agreed to enhance the welfare of Pakistanis living in the Kingdom and to promote people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, and educational cooperation.

PM Sharif’s four-day official visit (March 19-22) follows an invitation from MBS and aims to deepen bilateral ties and economic cooperation.  The visit includes planned stops in Makkah and Madinah, in addition to Jeddah. 

This meeting builds upon previous engagements, including PM Sharif’s October 2024 visit to Saudi Arabia for the Future Investment Initiative and the signing of over $2 billion worth of MoUs to boost trade and investment.  PM Sharif described the relationship as an “enduring friendship” leading to a “mutually beneficial economic partnership.”