ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, as the two countries discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, water management and food security, the Prime Minister's Office said on Friday.

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Saudi Arabia and conveyed his greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The prime minister said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had brought the three countries closer and conveyed a message of unity and peace in the region.

Sharif said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should focus on deepening economic and agricultural ties to translate their longstanding relationship into a stronger, mutually beneficial trade and investment partnership.

The two sides discussed increasing Pakistani agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia and improving agricultural productivity in Pakistan through technology, research and development and more efficient use of water resources, the statement said.

Sharif also announced that a delegation of Pakistani agricultural experts would soon travel to Riyadh to continue discussions on expanding cooperation.

Al-Fadley thanked Sharif for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, water and food security.

Several Pakistani federal ministers and senior government officials attended the meeting, including Rana Tanveer Hussain, Mohammad Aurangzeb, Atta Tarar, Jam Kamal Khan, Musadik Malik and Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.

Saudi Minister of Environment

PM Sharif urges Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to deepen economic, agricultural ties