ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan met with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on the sidelines of the ‘Middle East Green Initiative’ (MGI) Summit in Saudi capital Riyadh.
The prime minister paid tribute to the leadership King Salman in the progress and development of the Kingdom. He lauded Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for the Saudi Vision 2030, which aimed at transforming the socio-economic development of the Kingdom in the 21st century.
PM Imran Khan warmly congratulated the Crown Prince on successfully organising the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit on climate change. He added that the Summit clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Saudi leadership to take tangible steps for effectively tackling the challenge of Climate Change.
He noted that the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative aligned closely with Pakistan’s Climate Change Initiatives – ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ and the ‘Ten Billion Tree Tsunami’. He reiterated Pakistan’s support in the implementation of these Green Initiatives.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia and highlighted the significance Pakistan attached to its strategic ties with the Kingdom. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its steadfast support to Pakistan at every crucial juncture.
he two leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all fields.
On the latest developments in Afghanistan, the prime minister stressed the importance of active and constructive engagement of the international community to help alleviate the sufferings of the Afghan people.
He expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and hoped that the international community would take urgent steps to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan. The two leaders agreed to closely coordinate efforts to address these challenges. This is the second visit of the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia this year. He earlier visited the Kingdom in May 2021.
Investment in Pakistan
Earlier Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the Saudi-Pak Investment Forum organised in cooperation with Saudi Ministry of Investment. He urged the Saudi companies and entrepreneurs to benefit from Pakistan’s strategic location as well as huge investment potential in diverse areas of economy including housing and construction for mutual benefit.
He particularly mentioned the mega-development projects of Ravi City and Central Business District in Lahore and said it was the right time for Saudi investors to benefit from these projects. The Investment Forum was attended by senior representatives of the leading Saudi companies and entrepreneurs as well as Pakistani businessmen.
Besides Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, the Forum was also addressed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin and Energy Minister Hammad Azhar.
Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted the close and historic ties between the two brotherly nations said that Pakistan-Saudi relations transcend all other relations. “Whichever government comes to power in Pakistan, it does not affect Pakistan-Saudi relations,” he added. “As human beings, we don’t remember those who were with you in good times but those who stood with you in bad times”, he remarked.
Reiterating his country’s commitment to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, the Prime Minister said that whenever there is any security threat, Pakistan will stand with Saudi Arabia and ensure its security.
