News Desk |
The Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman’s two-day visit to Pakistan came to an end on Monday, 18th February. The long-awaited arrival became the highlight of the year with warm speeches, beneficial deals, and incredible historic gestures from both sides.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who arrived in Pakistan amid much fanfare and hype on 17th February, led a delegation to Islamabad that saw deals worth more than $20bn, which will prove vital for domestic growth besides resuscitating the economy.
The two leaders held one-on-one talks in Islamabad, followed by the signing of seven investment deals in the areas of petrochemicals, energy, minerals, sports, and other important sectors.
The Crown Prince also dubbed as MBS was welcomed by the formations of JF-17 and F-16 of Pakistan Air Force who escorted the Crown Prince as soon as Royal aircraft entered the Pakistan airspace.
HH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia received glorious welcome as Royal aircraft entered Pakistani Airspace.
Formations of JF-17 & F-16s of PAF escorted the Crown Prince who arrived in Pakistan on two-day official visit today.
🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrinceinPakistan pic.twitter.com/Wt7xsgGTIT
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 17, 2019
MBS was received on Sunday by Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Nur Khan airbase, where he was given a red carpet welcome and was accorded a 21-gun salute for his first visit to the country since becoming heir to the throne in 2017. He was driven to the Prime Minister House by PM Khan himself, as is the Premier’s custom for special guests.
The historic arrival of His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman to Pakistan and welcome by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and other dignitaries. 🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrinceinPakistan #WelcomePrinceMBS #PakSaudiFriendship pic.twitter.com/2HQH5xe6Ks
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2019
A historic moment as His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman received by Prime Minister Imran Khan on his arrival at Nur Khan Air Base. 🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrinceinPakistan #WelcomePrinceMBS #PakSaudiFriendship pic.twitter.com/61hDxb34ew
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2019
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan himself drove His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman to the Prime Minister's House. 🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrinceinPakistan #WelcomePrinceMBS #PakSaudiFriendship pic.twitter.com/14KJBH1U2o
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2019
The two leaders held one-on-one talks in Islamabad, followed by the signing of seven investment deals in the areas of petrochemicals, energy, minerals, sports, and other important sectors.
Earlier tonight Prime Minister Imran Khan and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman had one-on-one meeting in Islamabad.
Both leaders vowed for further strengthening of friendship and more economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrinceinPakistan pic.twitter.com/A48GobtP6m— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 17, 2019
Prime Minister Imran Khan and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman witnessing the signing of MoUs in Islamabad.
🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrincePakistanVisit #InvestInPakistan pic.twitter.com/2Gwr9H1sJ8
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 17, 2019
One of the most heart-warming events that took place was PM Khan’s request to His Highness for the early release of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia at the banquet on Monday and the next morning, the Prince had ordered the release of 2107 prisoners, the Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry confirmed on Twitter.
As a sequel to Prime Minister of Pakistan request, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of KSA Mohammad Bin Salman has ordered the immediate release of 2107 Pakistani prisoners Saudi Jails. #CrownPrinceinPakisatan #KSAPakistanNewEra
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 18, 2019
At the state dinner, PM Khan hailed the strong ties between the two allies, adding: “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are now taking this relationship to a level, which we never had before.
Read more: Consider me Pak Ambassador to KSA: MBS wins hearts
“A relationship, where it will now be investment between the two countries which will mutually benefit from it,” the Crown Prince reiterated PM Khan’s comments.
“We believe Pakistan is going to be a very important country in the coming future, and we want to be part of that,” he said.
"We know Pakistan is going to be a very important country in the coming future and we want to be a part of it"
~ Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman#CrownPrinceinPakistan #PakSaudiFriendship
(2/3) pic.twitter.com/9cyPoZtkLG— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2019
Prime Minister Imran Khan later took to Twitter to praise the comments of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman that he is Pakistan’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia.
PM Imran tweeted: Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman won the hearts of the people of Pakistan when he said “consider me Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia” in response to my asking him to treat the 2.5 mn Pakistani’s working in KSA as his own.
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman won the hearts of the people of Pakistan when he said “consider me Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia" in response to my asking him to treat the 2.5 mn Pakistani's working in KSA as his own.#CrownPrinceinPakistan pic.twitter.com/Xr0E2EWKrK
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 18, 2019
Speaking at the banquet, Prime Minister Imran Khan had also referred to the problems of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and requested that their immigration should be done in the three big cities of Pakistan.
Read more: MBS orders release of Pakistani prisoners in KSA jails
He also mentioned the problems faced by Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia, whom he considered very close to his heart and special people. He requested the Crown Prince to treat them as their own people.
His Highness Prince Salman was taken to meet President Arif Alvi on Monday morning by the Prime Minister in a traditional Presidential chariot.
President Dr. Arif Alvi receiving HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman at President House. #CrownPrinceinPakistan #CrownPrinceofSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/FGhl0YrZEw
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 18, 2019
HRH Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman arrives at the President House in the traditional Presidential chariot along with Prime Minister Imran Khan. A special contingent of Presidential security guards escorted the chariot. #CrownPrinceofSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/3MCmyiLj7L
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 18, 2019
سعودی ولی عہد محمد بن سلمان کے اعزاز میں روانگی سے قبل ایوان صدر میں تقریب کا اہتمام کیا گیا- صدر پاکستان عارف علوی اور وزیر اعظم عمران خان اُنکے ہمراہ موجود تھے- pic.twitter.com/XqOO23AAVB
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 18, 2019
At president house, MBS was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award conferred by the government in a ceremony.
President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi gives highest civil award ''Nishan-e-Pakistan'' to Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman
Prime Minister Imran Khan was also present at the ceremony.
🇵🇰🇸🇦#CrownPrinceinPakistan#ThanksPMIKandCrownPrince pic.twitter.com/ue1GaYV1Xl
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) February 18, 2019
Politicians, the business community, and the public at large lauded the historic visit of MBS and termed it the new beginning for both nations given the agreements signed not only to enhance economical activities but also to boost cultural ties two.
Read more: MBS directs establishing health center in KP to honor Farman Ali
PM Khan along with COAS Qamar Bajwa saw off Crown Prince at Noor Khan Base on Monday.
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman leaves Pakistan ending a historic two-day visit. 🇸🇦🇵🇰#CrownPrinceofSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/opjodwSxNG
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 18, 2019
The departure of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman. Prime Minister Imran Khan, COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa and other dignitaries were present at the departure of the esteemed dignitary. #CrownPrinceinPakistan pic.twitter.com/ljEt7xf95B
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 18, 2019