PM Shehbaz praises Saudi economic support, discusses US-Iran peace efforts with MBS

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked Saudi Arabia for its continued support in helping Pakistan maintain economic stability during his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting took place in Jeddah, where the Crown Prince—who is also the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia—welcomed Shehbaz Sharif. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also present. The two leaders held a detailed and friendly discussion that lasted almost two hours. They talked about regional developments and Pakistan-Saudi relations.

During the talks, Shehbaz Sharif showed strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia after recent regional tensions. He said that “the people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with our Saudi brethren.” He also offered condolences over the loss of lives.

He praised what he called the Kingdom’s “exemplary patience and restraint,” and said the Crown Prince’s leadership during the crisis “has been a source of strength for all peace-loving people in the Kingdom and beyond.”

The Prime Minister also shared updates on Pakistan’s peace efforts, including steps that helped lead to a US–Iran ceasefire and recent talks between the two countries held in Islamabad.

He further said, “Pakistan and the Kingdom enjoy a unique relationship as strategic defence partners under the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” and added that Saudi Arabia’s economic support for Pakistan is “deeply appreciated.”

Both leaders agreed to continue close cooperation and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah on an official visit with a high-level delegation. He was welcomed at the airport by Prince Saud bin Mashaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, along with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq.

Other members of the delegation include Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi.