Bilateral ties to witness boost after Pak-Saudi talks

In a bid to strengthen bilateral ties, a high-level delegation from Pakistan met with key officials from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). As per credible reports, both sides have agreed to stay committed to improving joint efforts to address regional challenges.

Leading the Pakistani delegation, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif landed in Jeddah for a four-day visit to KSA. According to reports, he intends to discuss further avenues of collaboration with his Saudi counterparts across a vast range of sectors.

As per reports, the Pakistani delegation comprises various high-profile members including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz, along with a slew of federal ministers and notable high-ranking state officials.

In a meeting with KSA’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Shehbaz Sharif outlined the cooperation between both countries while highlighting the importance of economic ties. The Pakistani premier, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), discussed the successful nature of his meeting with MBS and revealed that both leaders had gone over ways to improve security collaboration and boost trade and investment levels.

Shehbaz Sharif’s statements regarding boosting ties with the Middle Eastern kingdom represent the gravitational pull KSA has on Pakistan’s economy. According to reports, PM Sharif aims to take Pakistan-KSA "relations to new heights and transform them into a mutually beneficial economic partnership."

Aside from sharing a common religion, both countries are largely on the same page when it comes to matters pertaining to geopolitics and military coordination. However, this codependence isn’t just limited to economic cooperation, as both sides have interests vested in the other’s economy.

Analysts believe that Pakistan-KSA ties have disproportionately benefitted cash-strapped Pakistan – which frequently finds itself on the receiving end of Saudi aid. Moreover, Pakistan has historically sourced a great deal of petroleum from the Middle Eastern country, allowing for a steady supply of fuel in the country.

In exchange, Pakistan has worked with KSA on joint military ventures. Both leaders have outlined the need to concentrate on enhancing bilateral trade and investment. This spells great news for Pakistan, which witnessed its foreign direct investment (FDI) levels plummet by a staggering 45 percent in February 2025.

In an effort to boost inflows of FDI into Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif outlined Pakistan’s investment-friendly climate and policies, which would facilitate investors from the KSA. Reports reveal that Pakistan’s delegation invited Saudi businesspersons to consider investing in Pakistani initiatives under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).