JEDDHA, May 08 (INP): Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked a string of agreements as Prime Minister Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held delegation-level talks to discuss bilateral relations. The two countries signed multiple agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, media, prisoners exchange and others. Both PM Imran Khan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman witnessed the signing of the agreements inked by the relevant ministers from both sides. Both the countries signed an agreement to form Supreme Coordination Council to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in multiple fields.

An agreement for the exchange of convicted prisoners was also signed between the two countries besides another agreement to counter the crimes.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed a framework agreement on energy projects besides another one in the field of environmental protection. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit Friday, led his delegation in the talks held at the Royal Court in Jeddah, while the Crown Prince led the Saudi side. The Pakistani delegation comprised Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, among others. The talks covered bilateral cooperation, including economy, trade, investment, energy and job opportunities for the Pakistani workforce, and the welfare of Pakistani diaspora in the Kingdom. Accompanied by Qureshi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Senator Faisal Javed, the prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince. He was received at the Jeddah airport by Mohammad Bin Salman. This is the prime minister’s third official visit to the kingdom since he came to power in August 2018. During the visit, the prime minister will also meet the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, Secretary-General of the World Muslim League Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Medina. He will interact with the Pakistani diaspora in Jeddah. He will also perform Umrah in Makkah and pay his respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (Peace be Upon Him) in Madinah Munawwara. INP/AJ