ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a press release.
In a post on his X account, the premier said he had the pleasure and honor of meeting the crown prince, during which he conveyed "Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom," expressing deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia's patience and restraint during these challenging times.
"I also shared recent developments related to Pakistan’s peace efforts, which helped facilitate the US–Iran ceasefire and historic peace talks in Islamabad," PM Sharif said, reiterating firm commitment to advance efforts to "encourage both the US and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region."
"I also expressed sincere appreciation for the Kingdom’s consistent support for Pakistan’s economic stability, while highlighting the unique defence and security relationship between our two countries. We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our enduring partnership," he added.
Separately, in a post on X, FM Dar said that meeting with the crown prince was "marked by warmth, brotherhood, and a shared vision for a stronger Pakistan–Saudi Arabia partnership."
"The Prime Minister reaffirmed our deep-rooted ties, built on faith, trust, and mutual respect, and explored avenues to further enhance cooperation across all sectors," he said, adding that Saudi Arabia was a "special place for Pakistanis, and we remain committed to strengthening this historic and fraternal relationship for generations to come."
Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday for an official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a high-level delegation, the PMO said in a press release earlier.
PM Sharif was received at the airport by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Makkah region, along with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, and Pakistan’s envoy to Riyadh, Ahmed Farooq, said the statement.
The talks between the crown prince and the prime minister are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation between the two countries and exchanging views on the evolving regional situation, the statement said.
Foreign Minister Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and foreign media coordinator Musharraf Zaidi are part of the visiting delegation.
Earlier, the announcement of the PM leaving for Jeddah came shortly after Finance Minister Aurangzeb said that Saudi Arabia has committed an additional $3 billion in deposits to Pakistan, with disbursement expected within a week, providing timely support for the country’s external financing needs.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026, the finance minister said the Kingdom has also agreed to extend its existing $5 billion deposit for a longer period, moving away from the earlier annual rollover arrangement.
During his visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the prime minister is expected to hold high-level meetings with the leadership of both countries to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional peace and security.
In Türkiye, the prime minister will participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he will join a panel of leaders to present Pakistan’s perspective on key global issues.
On the sidelines of the forum, Sharif is also expected to meet Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other world leaders.
Pakistan’s participation in the forum reflects its commitment to constructive diplomacy, multilateral cooperation and engagement on global challenges.
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