ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his official visit to Saudi Arabia starting tomorrow, the foreign office in Islamabad said on Tuesday, to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral trade and strengthen collaboration in key economic sectors.
The two countries have enjoyed close defense, diplomatic, political and cultural relations, though they have consolidated their ties further in recent years as Islamabad grappled with a prolonged economic crisis and sought the kingdom’s help.
Pakistan has tried to strengthen business-to-business (B2B) ties with the Kingdom, with both sides announcing during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh last October they had signed 34 memorandums of understanding and agreements worth $2.8 billion to enhance private sector collaboration and commercial partnerships.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 19-22 March 2025,” the foreign office said. “The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance economic cooperation and promote investment between the two countries.”
“During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman,” it added. “The leaders will discuss and deliberate upon ways to boost trade, enhance partnership in key sectors and facilitate greater economic collaboration.”
Sharif will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with key federal ministers and senior officials. The delegation is expected to engage with Saudi counterparts to explore new avenues of investment and economic cooperation.
According to the foreign office statement, discussions will also cover regional and global developments, including the Gaza situation, evolving Middle East dynamics and broader issues concerning the Muslim Ummah.
Saudi Arabia presents a key export opportunity for Pakistani businesses, given its strong consumer demand and ambitious Vision 2030 economic reforms that emphasize diversification and foreign investments.
Pakistan has a 2.7 million-strong diaspora in Saudi Arabia, which accounts for the highest remittance inflow, a crucial lifeline for the country’s economy.
Last month, Pakistan’s commerce minister, Jam Kamal Khan, inaugurated the country’s first-ever solo “Made in Pakistan” exhibition in Jeddah, informing participants that over 1.7 million Pakistani workers had migrated to the Kingdom in the past five years, making it the top destination for Pakistani emigrants.

ISLAMABAD: The top military officials of Pakistan and Bahrain discussed regional security and ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation to meet security challenges, Pakistan’s military said on Tuesday. 

General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the commander of the National Guard of Bahrain, met Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said. 

Al Khalifa praised Pakistan Army’s professionalism and appreciated their efforts in combating “terrorism,” the ISPR said. 

“During the meeting, both leaders engaged in discussions on matters of mutual interest, the regional security landscape, and avenues for strengthening bilateral military cooperation,” the military’s media wing said. 

Munir underscored the significance of enhanced collaboration in addressing shared security challenges and fostering peace and stability in the region, the ISPR added. 

Bahrain is a key member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and a favorite destination for the Pakistani workforce since the early 1970s, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Gulf countries and regularly partakes in bilateral military drills with them to foster joint cooperation to counter security challenges. 

Both countries have established a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) at the level of the foreign ministers, with the Pakistan-Bahrain trade volume between $500 million and $1 billion in recent years, as per Pakistan’s foreign ministry.