ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Deputy Crown Prince and Minister for Defence of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud will visit Pakistan on Sunday as part of the discussions between the two friendly countries over the 34-nation alliance and Kingdom’s tussle with Iran.
Talking to media on Friday, the official sources said that the Federal Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif would receive the guest on his arrival at Nur Khan Base in Rawalpindi.
It will be second Saudi top official’s visit to Pakistan within a few days as the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir left Islamabad today following the completion of his two-day visit.
It is likely that the Saudi defence will hold a series of talks with Pakistani military and civilian leaders. Like his country mate, Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud is also expected to focus on Saudi-led Islamic coalition to fight terrorism and Pakistan’s support in this regard in negotiations with leaders in Islamabad.
However, Pakistani leadership in talks with Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir refrained from committing Pakistan’s any proactive role in Saudi-led alliance and reemphasized Islamabad’s stance that its participation in alliance is of “voluntary nature”.
During his upcoming visit to Islamabad, the Saudi defence minister will also cover other areas of bilateral interest including enhancement of Pak-Saudi cooperation in defence in talks with Pakistani leaders.
Earlier during his working visit to Pakistan on January 7, the Saudi foreign minister called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and held delegation level talks with the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
The Saudi foreign minister also held a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif in Rawalpindi.
The visiting dignitary briefed the prime minister on details of the Islamic coalition and the recent situation in the Saudi Arabia’s relations with Iran.
In his remarks, the prime minister said that Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia’s initiative and stressed that Pakistan supports all such regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism. He also expressed deep concern at the escalation of the situation and condemned the burning down of Saudi Embassy in Tehran.
