Pakistani PM to visit Saudi Arabia from April 6-8, expected to meet crown prince — FO

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Royal Palace shows Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, right, welcoming Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah on April 30, 2022. (AFP file photo)
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Updated 05 April 2024
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Pakistani PM to visit Saudi Arabia from April 6-8, expected to meet crown prince — FO

  • Sharif last traveled to Saudi Arabia during his first term as prime minister in October 2022
  • Sharif met crown prince during the visit, attended Saudi Future Investment Initiative Summit

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani foreign office said on Friday Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would travel to Saudi Arabia from April 6-8 on the premier’s first foreign visit since his election and was expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the trip.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top destination for remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.

“The Prime Minister is expected to meet the Crown Prince and Prime Minister HRH Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and discuss issues of mutual interest,” the foreign office said in a statement announcing the PM’s visit. “The leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments.”

Sharif will be accompanied by the ministers of finance, economic affairs, defense and information. He will perform Umrah and offer prayers at the Masjid Nabwi Al-Sharif in Madinah.

“The leadership of both countries is committed to advancing the fraternal ties and mutually rewarding economic and investment relations,” the foreign office said. 

The Saudi government has not yet commented on the visit or its agenda. 

Sharif last traveled to Saudi Arabia during his first term as PM in October 2022. He met the crown prince during the visit and also attended the Saudi Future Investment Initiative Summit. 

• This article originally appeared on Arab News Pakistan 


Australian deputy PM highlights Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance during visit

Updated 19 December 2024
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Australian deputy PM highlights Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance during visit

DUABI: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Donald Marles underlined the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key partner for Australia, highlighting its position as the country’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East.

In a statement issued by his office on Thursday, Marles said his visit to Saudi Arabia is focused on enhancing cooperation within the G20 framework and other multilateral institutions, as well as reaffirming Australia’s commitment to a rules-based global order.

Marles described Saudi Arabia as a pivotal partner in addressing shared global challenges, emphasizing the significance of deepening economic and diplomatic ties. He added that the visit offers an opportunity to explore new avenues for collaboration and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.


KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan

Updated 19 December 2024
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KSrelief’s humanitarian works benefit individuals from Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center’s (KSrelief) humanitarian projects in Yemen, Ukraine and Sudan continue to benefit individuals needing medical and therapeutic intervention.

In Yemen, KSrelief provided services through the Prosthetic and Rehabilitation Center in Aden to 562 patients in November as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare sector and help individuals who require prostheses.

The center also delivered 1,395 services, including the manufacturing, fitting, and rehabilitation of prosthetic limbs, along with physical therapy and specialized consultations.

Also in Aden, a team of medical volunteers undertook an adult urology surgery campaign from Dec. 15 to 22, with the nine specialists performing 15 procedures on patients. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen

In Rzeszow, Poland, KSrelief volunteers fitted prosthetic limbs for 32 Ukrainian refugees between Dec. 8 to 15.

In Sudan’s Port Sudan, volunteers from KSrelief ran a pediatric surgical program and has successfully examined 15 children and performed seven successful surgeries so far.


‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates Saudi Arabia and Iraq cultures

Updated 19 December 2024
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‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates Saudi Arabia and Iraq cultures

  • Art, music and folklore to feature at Riyadh event until Dec. 31
  • Over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists will be on display

RIYADH: The Kingdom launched the second “Common Ground” festival on Wednesday to celebrate the rich cultures of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Organized by the Culture Ministry, “Common Ground” features a variety of activities including art, music and folklore.

The ministry invited residents to “explore and celebrate Iraqi culture and the historical and cultural bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq through art, music, storytelling and more.”

The festival, which runs until Dec. 31, is being held at Mega Studio in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.

The event includes a tribute to writer Kareem Al-Iraqi, who died last year, for his contribution to art and literature, which includes novels, plays, songs and screenplays.

The opening night featured songs by renowned Iraqi singer-songwriter Kadim Al-Sahir. And Thursday will have several seminars led by heritage experts.

There will also be over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists on display at the festival.

Meanwhile, in AlUla on Wednesday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for discussions on regional events.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan

Updated 19 December 2024
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan

  • Medical team assesses 15 children and carries out 7 successful operations during first few days of the project, which is staffed by volunteers

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief this week launched a volunteer pediatric surgical program in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan.

By Wednesday, the medical team had assessed 15 children and carried out seven successful surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sudan is locked in a civil war between two rival factions of the country’s military government that began in April 2023. It has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced about 12 million people.

The conflict has also had a devastating effect on healthcare, with more than two-thirds of major hospitals in out of service, according to the World Health Organization.


Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy

Updated 18 December 2024
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Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, and Prince Faisal wished the ambassador success in his new duties, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz met with Ambassaor of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan to discuss topics of mutual interest.