Shehbaz Sharif calls for stronger economic and agricultural ties with Saudi Arabia during meeting with minister Al-Fadley
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye had brought the three countries closer together and sent a message of unity and peace across the region.
The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, who called on him in Islamabad.
Shehbaz reaffirmed the deep-rooted and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and conveyed his warmest regards to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Welcoming the Saudi minister, the prime minister said that as strategic partners, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should now focus their efforts on further strengthening economic and agricultural ties.
He stressed the need to transform the longstanding relationship between the two countries into a stronger and mutually beneficial trade and investment partnership.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss agricultural cooperation
Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the constructive engagement between the two sides, particularly regarding the export of agricultural products from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia.
The two sides also discussed ways to enhance agricultural productivity in Pakistan through greater use of technology, research and development, and more efficient utilisation of water resources.
The prime minister announced that a delegation of Pakistani agricultural experts would soon visit Riyadh to take the discussions forward and explore ways to realise the full potential of bilateral cooperation.
The Saudi minister thanked the prime minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
Al-Fadley reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, water management and food security.
Ministers attend meeting
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Atta Tarar, Jam Kamal Khan, Dr Musadik Malik and Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, as well as Dr Syed Tauqir Shah and Bilal Azhar Kiani.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and senior government officials also attended the meeting.
The discussions underscored Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s intention to broaden their longstanding relationship beyond strategic cooperation, with agriculture, food security, water management, trade and investment emerging as key areas for closer collaboration.