Pakistan eyes closer strategic ties with Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said that there is a need to start a new era of strategic relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in order to further broaden and deepen the existing cordial bilateral relations, said an official press release. During his meeting with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Saud Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud who called on him at PM House, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always stood by each other in testing times and the people of Pakistan deeply value relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both leaders discussed issues of bilateral and regional importance, according to the release. PM Nawaz said, "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia need to enhance bilateral trade to reflect the strong fraternal bonds that exist between them by holding regular meetings between the commerce ministers to explore ways of enhancing bilateral trade." The premier stressed that his government wishes to enhance economic and business ties with Saudi Arabia and is ready to grant privileges to Saudi businessmen. On the issue of Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan remained committed to facilitating Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, adding that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan's interest. He added that Pakistan supports all efforts aimed at strengthening unity among the Islamic countries. The Prime Minister also thanked the Saudi Government for extending help to Pakistani workers who were affected by the recent labor laws enacted in the Kingdom, the release added