Pakistan PM arrives in Saudi Arabia on first foreign visit

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, on his first official international visit since he took office in August, the Ministry of Media said in a statement.

Khan is due to meet the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on Wednesday, in the port city of Jeddah. A state banquet will be hosted by King Salman at the Royal Court.  Khan was scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later on Tuesday.

The Saudi-Pakistani talks will touch on key bilateral, regional and international matters.

Khan is accompanied on his two-day official visit by some of his cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Finance Minister Asad Umar.

Upon his arrival at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, Khan and the accompanying delegation were received by the Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, and the Saudi Minister of Media, Dr Awwad Alawwad.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Pakistani premier paid a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to pray there, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). At the venue, he was received by senior civil and military staff running the mosque.

Upon arrival at Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Khan was received by Madinah Region Governor Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The Pakistani prime minister is also due to visit the United Arab Emirates.