ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday received Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr Majed Abdullah Al-Qasabi and discussed the matters of mutual interest.
Dr Al-Qasabi is visiting Pakistan as a head of a 35-member Saudi delegation to participate in the 11th Session of Pak-Saudi Joint Ministerial Commission. The prime minister welcomed the holding of the Session, which is expected to enhance and strengthen bilateral economic relations.
The substantive decisions taken during the meeting of the Pak-Saudi JMC were also discussed with the Prime Minister. These include the establishment of a Working Group for export of Halal food from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia; Saudi investment in the construction of the South-North Gas Pipeline, accelerated negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and exchange of parliamentary delegations.
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In the context of export of Pakistani manpower to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi side agreed to set up a training institute in Pakistan to help meet its human resource requirements. A delegation from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development would also be received in Saudi Arabia early next week. Also the Executive Director of NAVTTC has been invited to visit Saudi Arabia. The Saudi side also agreed to visa relaxation and reduction in visa fees for Pakistanis.
PM Abbasi underscored that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were not only important for the government but that the people of Pakistan have a special affection for Saudi Arabia and Khadim-e-al-Harmain Al-Sharifain. Dr Al-Qasabi also emphasised the importance attached by Saudi Arabia to the special relationship with Pakistan.
