Pakistan PM to visit Saudi Arabia soon, says minister

This file photo shows the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Islamabad, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, left, with Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala, Islamabad. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/File)

• King Salman invited PM Khan to visit the country during a phone call last month
• Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share historic brotherly relations and Islamabad considers Saudi an important ally

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on an unannounced date, Geo News, a private television channel, reported on Tuesday, quoting Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
The dates for the visit, however, have yet to be finalized, the report said.
Last month, congratulating Khan on his election win, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had discussed an array of bilateral issues with the prime minister, ending the call with an invitation to visit the country.
“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Pakistan has enormous trade and economic opportunities and his country is keen to make investment in Pakistan and strengthen the bilateral trade relations,” Pakistan state run television PTV had reported at the time.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close cooperation in diverse fields.
Two days ago, Saudi Minister of Media, Dr. Awwad Bin Saleh Al-Awwad concluded his three-day visit to Pakistan where he met with a coterie of top political and military officials, including Khan.
“The prime minister underscored the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which is a durable, broad-based and comprehensive partnership,” the PM’s office said in a statement, following a meeting between Khan and Al-Awwad on September 9.
Khan had also called for sustaining the momentum through tangible progress in areas identified for bilateral cooperation.