Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to further boost bilateral cooperation

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and his high powered delegation left Islamabad this evening after a two-day official visit to Pakistan.

In a joint statement issued by Foreign Office this evening, it said investment and trade relations have been given high priority during the visit as Saudi Crown Prince announced 20 billion dollars investment and signed agreements and MoUs in several sectors in Pakistan.

The joint statement said the visit laid the foundation for a new chapter in Pakistan-Saudi political, diplomatic, and economic, investment, and trade, people-to-people, defence and security relationship.

The statement said the establishment of Supreme Coordination Council, its subsidiary mechanism are one of the key steps in shaping the new trajectory in the bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince for his immediate consent to release 2107 prisoners from Saudi jails. He briefed the Crown Prince on the grave human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir and the need for resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Saudi side praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s dialogue offer to India including the initiative on opening of Kartarpur corridor.

The Saudi side lauded Pakistan’s important positions in the Islamic world and its efforts for regional peace and security.

Both sides also reiterated their commitment to continue combating extremism and terrorism and expressed their deep appreciation for the achievements and sacrifices made by the two sides in the war against terrorism.

They also applauded the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in order to confront this serious scourge and called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to join all international efforts to combat global terrorism.

Both brotherly countries, applauds the growing momentum in bilateral ties in all areas. They stressed that dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region and to resolve the outstanding issues. Both sides also strongly condemned the atrocities and human rights violations committed against Muslims around the world. Both sides noted with satisfaction their strong defence and security ties, and agreed to further enhance cooperation in this field to advance shared objectives.

Crown Prince praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s agenda of transforming Pakistan into a welfare state, based on Islamic socio-economic principles and assured him of the Kingdom’s continued support.

The joint statement said that the two sides expressed their hope for achieving a fair, comprehensive and long-lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on internationally agreed standards 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital.

It said that the two sides agreed on the importance of political settlement and promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan so that millions of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries can return to their country and contribute to their development and lasting peace. It said that the Saudi side appreciated Pakistan’s generous hosting of millions of Afghan refugees and other initiatives by Pakistan in the Afghan context.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen measures to promote trade, participate in exhibitions and events, welcome business meetings from both countries, and encourage the private sector to take the lead in building a strong economic partnership between the two brotherly countries.

The Crown Prince stressed the potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which will contribute to the development and prosperity of the region.Both of countries called to promote dialogue, respect and understanding among followers of different faiths to promote peace and interfaith harmony.

Foreign Office Spokesperson in a press release issued today said investment and trade relations have been given high priority during the visit as Saudi Crown Prince announced 20 billion dollars investment and signed agreements and MoUs in several sectors in Pakistan.

The joint statement said the visit laid the foundation for a new chapter in Pakistan-Saudi political, diplomatic, and economic, investment, and trade, people-to-people, defence and security relationship.

The statement said the establishment of Supreme Coordination Council, its subsidiary mechanism are one of the key steps in shaping the new trajectory in the bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince for his immediate consent to release 2107 prisoners from Saudi jails. He briefed the Crown Prince on the grave human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir and the need for resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Saudi side praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s dialogue offer to India including the initiative on opening of Kartarpur corridor.

The Saudi side lauded Pakistan’s important positions in the Islamic world and its efforts for regional peace and security.

Both sides also reiterated their commitment to continue combating extremism and terrorism and expressed their deep appreciation for the achievements and sacrifices made by the two sides in the war against terrorism.

They also applauded the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in order to confront this serious scourge and called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to join all international efforts to combat global terrorism.

Both brotherly countries, applauds the growing momentum in bilateral ties in all areas. They stressed that dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region and to resolve the outstanding issues. Both sides also strongly condemned the atrocities and human rights violations committed against Muslims around the world. Both sides noted with satisfaction their strong defence and security ties, and agreed to further enhance cooperation in this field to advance shared objectives.

Crown Prince praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s agenda of transforming Pakistan into a welfare state, based on Islamic socio-economic principles and assured him of the Kingdom’s continued support.

The joint statement said that the two sides expressed their hope for achieving a fair, comprehensive and long-lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and the resolutions of international legitimacy guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state based on internationally agreed standards 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital.

It said that the two sides agreed on the importance of political settlement and promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan so that millions of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries can return to their country and contribute to their development and lasting peace. It said that the Saudi side appreciated Pakistan’s generous hosting of millions of Afghan refugees and other initiatives by Pakistan in the Afghan context.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen measures to promote trade, participate in exhibitions and events, welcome business meetings from both countries, and encourage the private sector to take the lead in building a strong economic partnership between the two brotherly countries.

The Crown Prince stressed the potential of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which will contribute to the development and prosperity of the region.

Both of countries called to promote dialogue, respect and understanding among followers of different faiths to promote peace and interfaith harmony.

Earlier, in a separate brief statement, Foreign Office said the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman has laid the foundation for a new chapter in Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relationship.

The statement said the visit is marked by initiatives of high level institutional framework to guide future direction of political, diplomatic, economic, security and cultural aspects.

The establishment of Supreme Coordination Council and its inaugural session in Islamabad were key steps in shaping new trajectory n bilateral relationship.

The statement also articulates common position of two countries on a range of regional peace and security matters and international challenges faced by Islamic Ummah.