News
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia vow to jointly fight extremism
*Nawaz, King Salman maintain terrorism is a common enemy; pledge to cooperate with each other in field of security
*King accepts invitation to visit PakistanAPP
RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday pledged to fight the scourge of extremism jointly. This was declared during Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif’s first official visit to the kingdom on the special invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Both the leaders also discussed matters relating to the region and agreed that terrorism and extremism are common enemies and the two countries will continue to cooperate with each other in field of security. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received a warm welcome here Wednesday on his arrival for a three-day official visit. In a break from protocol and as a special gesture, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, accompanied by his whole cabinet received the prime minister and his entourage at King Khalid International Airport. Also present on the ocassion were Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, a number of princes, ministers, and senior officials. Prime Minister Nawaz was presented the guard of honour by a contingent of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces. A high-level delegation accompanying the Prime Minister, including Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his special assistants on National Affairs Irfan Siddiqui, and Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, was introduced to the Saudi King. The Prime Minister will hold talks with the Saudi leadership, besides performing Umrah and paying his respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him), during his stay. During his visit, the prime minister will discuss issues of mutual interest and concern in the global and regional context besides focussing on ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. In his pre-departure statement, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are brotherly countries which are tied in the bonds of shared faith and values. He said every Pakistani has a special place in his heart for the Saudi King as he is the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques. He said the relations between the two countries had grown stronger with the passage of time. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold talks with the Saudi King. The prime minister will perform Umrah in Makkah Mukarramah and visit Madinah Munawwara to offer prayers at the Masjid-e-Nabvi (PBUH). “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are tied in close fraternal bonds of shared faith and values. Being the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King of Saudi Arabia has a special place in the hearts of every Pakistani,” the Foreign Office said. Saudi Arabia hosts more than 1.7 million Pakistanis whose remittances contribute substantially to the economy of Pakistan. Annual trade volume between the two countries exceeds $4.5 billion. “The official visit of the prime minister will provide an opportunity to the leadership of the two countries to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern in the global and regional context and further strengthen our close bilateral relations,” the Foreign Office said. The visit of the prime minister will provide an opportunity to the leadership of the two countries to discuss issues of mutual interests and concern in the global and regional context and further strengthen the close bilateral relations. In his pre-departure statement, the prime minister said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are brotherly countries which are tied in bonds of shared faith and values. He said being the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King of Saudi Arabia has a special place in the hearts of every Pakistani. He said relations between the two countries have grown stronger with the passage of time. This is prime minister’s first visit to the Kingdom since King Salman bin Abdulaziz assumed the throne. The Prime Minister will also meet members of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia. The two leaders held extensive talks covering bilateral relations, regional and international issues at the king’s palace in the Saudi capital. They two leaders emphasized the importance of Pakistan-Saudi relations and vowed to strengthen them further in various fields. The prime minister expressed the confidence that during the reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz relations between the two countries would touch new heights.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk