High-level delegation led by Saudi FM arrives in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Saudi delegation, led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has arrived in Islamabad.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received the Saudi delegation at Noor Khan Air Base.

The visit is aimed at lending positive impetus to enhanced bilateral cooperation and mutually rewarding economic partnership.

The delegation consists of Saudi Minister for Water and Agriculture, Minister for Industry and Mineral Resources, Deputy Minister for Investment, Head of Saudi Special Committee  and senior officials from Ministry of Energy and Saudi Fund for General Investments.

The visit takes place essentially to expedite follow up on the understanding reached between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman, during their recent meeting in Makkah to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long standing fraternal relations marked by religio-cultural affinities.

The people of Pakistan hold the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in the highest esteem.

This visit will lend a positive impetus to transforming bilateral cooperation into an enduring and mutually rewarding economic partnership.

Additionally, a Saudi investment of up to one billion dollars is likely next month in the Reko Diq Copper Gold project located in Chagai district in Balochistan.

Special Investment Facilitation Council is trying to remove obstacles in this regard.

In order to ensure the smooth completion of Saudi investments, the Prime Minister will constitute a committee of Finance Ministry, comprising all stakeholders of country.

Following this investment, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will sign agreements for further investment in the mining sector.

Meanwhile, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s former president Iftikhar Ali Malik has advocated the cause of achieving durable peace in the region, a prerequisite to economic growth, prosperity and development for all countries of South Asia.