ANY visit from the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia always entails great significance.It is because the people of Pakistan accord greater respect to the Saudi leadership for being the custodian of the holiest sites of Islam.
This affection is mutual and rooted in the hearts of peoples of the two countries.
The visit of Kingdom’s Interior Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Saud Bin Naif to Islamabad on Monday is also being seen as a step towards further strengthening the bilateral relations.
It has been reported that the two countries have finalized an agreement on the transfer of offenders as a result of which a large number of our prisoners in the Kingdom will be repatriated to Pakistan.
It is good news for those families that have been waiting for their dear and near ones for long.
Also during talks, the Saudi Interior Minister and Pakistani leaders reiterated the importance of diversifying their relations in various areas.
Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked the Kingdom for its steadfast support, especially the recent financial budgetary assistance extended to Pakistan.
Undoubtedly, the Saudi leadership has always been forthcoming and generous in providing assistance to Pakistan is the need of the hour.This shows the importance they give to the relationship with Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan still remember the very historic statement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, which he made during a visit to Pakistan back in 2019 that “consider him the Ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia”.
Time has come to translate this goodwill into a strong economic partnership.
Whilst one expects the pouring of investment from China after the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing, efforts must also be accelerated to lure the Saudi investors.
There are certain areas such as energy, agriculture, climate change where cooperation between the two countries will be mutually beneficial.
Since Special Economic Zones being established under the CPEC for open for all, the Saudi friends should be encouraged to invest in them.
Strong trade and economic relations will further reinforce the bonds that exist between the two countries.
