ISLAMABAD: Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah called on caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations with the Kingdom.
He lauded the vision of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and said Pakistan would always remain a trusted partner of Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister thanked the Saudi leadership for making excellent arrangements for pilgrims from all over the world, including Pakistan during Hajj this year. He hoped that Pakistani Hajj and Umrah pilgrims would continue to receive special treatment from the Saudi side.
PM Kakar also thanked Saudi Arabia for its interest in investment opportunities in Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The Saudi Minister thanked the prime minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation during their maiden visit to Pakistan.
He said Saudi Arabia would extend all possible facilitation to Pakistani pilgrims and in addition to religious visits, the delegation will also try to promote Saudi tourism to Pakistan.
In a separate meeting, Saudi Minister Al-Rabiah and his delegation also called on President Dr Arif Alvi in Islamabad. The president said Pakistan highly values its relations with the kingdom and called for further strengthening bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia especially in economic issues.
He highlighted the key investment areas in IT, renewable energy, industrial and infrastructure development sectors of Pakistan and emphasized the need to expand bilateral trade.
He thanked Saudi Arabia for making excellent arrangements for the Hajj this year and hoped that it would expedite the purchase of Pakistan House in Madinah.
The President also appreciated the Kingdom for its steadfast support for important Muslim causes, especially the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Palestine, and Afghanistan through the forum of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
He lauded the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, for normalization of relations with Iran.
The visiting Saudi Minister said that relations between the two countries are strong and need to be further enhanced for mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
