ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal arrived in Islamabad on Monday evening on a two-day official visit to discuss ways to further expanding Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties and enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.
During his visit, the Saudi foreign minister will hold in-depth talks with Pakistani leadership including President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the premier’s advisor on foreign policy and national security Sartaj Aziz.
The Saudi foreign minister will discuss ways to further expanding Pak-Saudi ties and enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields. Besides bilateral matters‚ he will also discuss Afghan and regional situation including post-foreign troops withdrawal from that country.
It is also expected that both the sides will review the suspended Taliban-US dialogue process for Afghan reconciliation.
On Friday in her weekly media briefing in Islamabad, the Foreign office spokesperson Tasleem Aslam said that the visit of the Saudi foreign minister is part of routine interaction between the two countries, adding that Pakistan is working on a policy to further strengthen its relations with Islamic countries.
The spokesperson also dismissed speculations that Saudi foreign minister’s upcoming visit pertained to the future of former president Pervez Musharraf, who is currently admitted to a Rawalpindi’s military hospital for heart problem.
“This is normal interaction between states. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy a very close relationship and this would be the first high-level visit after the new government in Pakistan took office,” the spokesperson said.
