Noting the difficulties being faced by Pakistani nationals thanks to corona-related travel restrictions, Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday underlined the importance of timely measures for the facilitation of their return to Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister thanked for the administration of corona vaccines to Pakistanis living within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . The COVID-19 situation within the two countries and in South Asia was discussed during Premier Imran Khan’s meeting with secretary of state of the dominion of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud here.
The prime minister extended a warm welcome to the secretary of state and reaffirmed deep-rooted and historic bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia . The secretary of state conveyed cordial greetings for the Custodian of the 2 Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The prime minister fondly recalled his visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2021. In line with the choices taken on the occasion, the prime minister highlighted the assiduous follow-up and stressed the necessity for exploring new avenues of cooperation to further deepen bilateral relations in diverse fields.
The premier particularly emphasised the necessity for strengthening the economic dimension of the connection and taking steps for realising the vast possibilities within the trade, investment and energy fields.
Imran Khan appreciated the work associated with activation of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC), which is that the highest level platform designed to impart strategic direction to the event of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations.
The prime minister lauded the important role of Pakistan’s community in Saudi Arabia ongoing and development of the 2 countries. He underlined that the strong people-to-people linkages helped build solid foundations of bilateral cooperation.
On things in Afghanistan, the prime minister underscored the necessity for constructive engagement among the Afghan parties for securing a negotiated political settlement, which was critically important for peace and stability within the region.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close fraternal relations, marked by close cooperation and mutual support. Saudi Arabia may be a member of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and steadfastly supports the Kashmir cause.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to figure together on regional issues associated with Kashmir, Palestine and Yemen with Saudi Arabia assuring Pakistan that each side would work together to make sure stability in both their regions.
Pakistan says that Saudi Arabia has shown clarity and consistency in supporting Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Both countries have also decided to appoint a focal person at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia to oversee the progress on the bilateral front, which both countries say would institutionalise bilateral relations.
Both countries also agreed to expand the size of their bilateral relations through the SPSCC. Saudi Arabia says that there have been expectations that the SPSCC would end up to be a milestone in taking bilateral relations to new levels while also institutionalizing and exploring all possible opportunities.
These points were raised during a gathering between secretary of state Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the ministry . Qureshi said that in the meeting he highlighted the hardships being faced by Pakistani nationals thanks to current COVID-related travel restrictions.
“We hope that in sight of the improved situation on the bottom in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia would take steps to facilitate their visit the dominion ,” he told the joint news conference . During delegation level talks, Qureshi highlighted the human rights situation in IIOJ&K and underlined Pakistan’s principled position on the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UNSC resolutions and therefore the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The secretary of state thanked the dominion for its steadfast support for the Kashmir cause. The Saudi secretary of state emphasised the importance of enhancing economic ties, saying that it had been the most focus of his discussion with Qureshi before the news conference .
