"Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Commit to Strengthen Economic Relations"

 Islamabad: Strengthening Bilateral Relations with Saudi Arabia and Qatar at OIC Summit

In a bid to bolster long-standing strategic and economic ties, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaged in significant diplomatic discussions with key counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar during the 15th OIC Islamic Summit Conference held in Banjul, The Gambia.

Highlighting the importance of the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud reaffirmed their commitment to deepen economic cooperation and encourage increased Saudi investments in Pakistan. This reaffirmation underscores the mutual desire to leverage each other's strengths for shared prosperity.

The meeting between Mr. Dar and the Saudi foreign minister provided a platform to discuss various avenues of collaboration, particularly in economic spheres, and laid the groundwork for future engagements aimed at fostering greater bilateral cooperation.

In addition to his discussions with Saudi Arabia, Mr. Dar also held fruitful meetings with other dignitaries on the sidelines of the summit. Engagements with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Hassan Shoukry, and Nigerien counterpart, Bakary Yaou Sangare, focused on regional developments, including concerns over recent events in the Middle East. The leaders collectively called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the imperative of peace and stability in the region.

Moreover, the dialogue with Qatar revealed promising prospects for cooperation in the energy sector, with discussions also touching upon exploring employment opportunities for Pakistani nationals. These deliberations underscored the mutual interest in leveraging each other's strengths to achieve common developmental goals.

Mr. Dar highlighted the significance of Prince Faisal's recent visit to Pakistan, describing it as a pivotal moment that injected fresh momentum into economic collaboration between the two countries. The visit symbolized a renewed commitment to expanding economic ties and exploring new avenues of partnership.

Furthermore, discussions on Pakistan-Qatar trade ties were held on the margins of the OIC summit. Mr. Dar and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mr. Al Thani, explored multifaceted bilateral cooperation, particularly emphasizing opportunities in the energy domain. These discussions laid the groundwork for future collaborations aimed at enhancing trade relations and leveraging each other's strengths for mutual benefit.

Overall, the engagements at the OIC summit underscored Pakistan's commitment to strengthening ties with its regional partners and leveraging collective efforts to address shared challenges and pursue common objectives. Through diplomatic initiatives and strategic dialogues, Pakistan aims to foster greater economic cooperation and enhance regional stability in collaboration with its allies in the Middle East and beyond.