ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: With high hopes of taking Pak-Saudi bilateral cooperation into new heights, the Crown Prince of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman along with his high-powered delegation arrived in Islamabad on a two-day State visit on Sunday evening.
The distinguished Saudi delegation was escorted by a formation of JF-17 thunder and F-16 jets when their plane entered the airspace of Pakistan.
Upon their arrival at Nur Khan Airbase where Triple-One brigade had already taken over the airport, Prime Minister Imran Khan, members of the Federal Cabinet and three Services Chiefs received the esteemed guests.
أهلا وسهلا ومرحبا سمو ولى العهد بين اهلك ووطنك
Most Wellcome His Royal Highnness Crown prince amongst your family and your Own Country #CrownPrincePakistanVisit #CrownPrinceinPakistan— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 17, 2019
On the occasion, the Saudi Crown Prince – who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of KSA – was accorded a red-carpet welcome with 21-gun salute. He was also presented a beautiful bouquet.
Prime Minister Imran Khan introduced his Cabinet members to Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.
Later after a brief stay at the airport lounge, Imran Khan himself drove the Saudi Crown Prince to the Prime Minister House amid heightened security.
#ولی_عہد_پاکستان_میں | #ولی_عہد کے #پاکستان پہنچنے کا ایک رخ
🇵🇰🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/fPVmCCJ8gR— السفارة في باكستان – سعودی سفارت خانہ (@KSAembassyPK) February 17, 2019
At the official welcome ceremony held at the Prime Minister House, national anthems of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were played and the Crown Prince reviewed the guard of honor presented by a smartly turned out contingent of the armed services.
Prior to the arrival of Mohammad Bin Salman, multiple special planes carrying Saudi dignitaries including the Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir had reached Islamabad embellished with an abundance of Pak-Saudi flags, and welcoming billboards & banners.
HRH Crown Prince starts his tour to Pakistan, a country that we have historic ties with. This visit will expand the prospects for fruitful cooperation to achieve the aspirations of the two countries
— Adel Aljubeir عادل الجبير (@AdelAljubeir) February 17, 2019
Various cultural troupes and artists also gave dance and musical performances on the arrival of the Saudi high-powered delegation.
A banquet will also be held at the Prime Minister House tonight in honor of the visiting dignitary.
شوارع العاصمة #إسلام_آباد تتزين بلوحات ترحيبية استعداداً لقدوم #سمو_ولي_العهد
🇵🇰🇸🇦#ولي_العهد_في_باكستان pic.twitter.com/XgXgDy1uWy— السفارة في باكستان – سعودی سفارت خانہ (@KSAembassyPK) February 17, 2019
During his stay in Pakistan, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Salman will hold separate meetings with President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and the Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa apart from other diplomatic engagements.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to ink around $20 billion investment projects
The visit of Crown Prince-led Saudi delegation which includes members of Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen will usher in a new era of brotherhood, progress and development between our two brotherly Islamic nations.
The two Countries will be signing a number of agreements and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) related to diverse sectors including investment, finance, power, renewable energy, internal security, media, culture and sports.
A Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council (SCC) will also be launched to help the two Countries for effective coordination and follow up to achieve mutually agreed objectives.
Pakistan’s Highest Civil Award “Nishan-e-Pakistan” will also be conferred on the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at an investiture ceremony at the Presidency.
