All’s good with our royal brothers

• PM Sharif meets Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, expresses satisfaction over bilateral relations

JEDDAH

INP

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is on a private visit to Saudi Arabia, called on Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud late Monday night and discussed bilateral relations and various issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

Expressing satisfaction over the relations between the two countries, the prime minister said that Saudi Arabia was playing a “unique and irreplaceable” role in the Muslim world while the crown prince hoped that the relationship between both the brotherly countries will further strengthen. The crown prince added that Pakistan was like his “second home”.

During the meeting which was also attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Hussain Nawaz, it was agreed between the two leaders that high level exchanges between the two countries were essential for further deepening relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz warmly received the prime minister and welcomed him to Saudi Arabia. He also conveyed his greetings to the Prime Minister Sharif on performing Umrah.

The prime minister expressed his gratitude to the crown prince for his sentiments and thanked him for the hospitality extended during his visit.

Sharif also called on Second Deputy Premier Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and discussed bilateral and regional issues. Both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the relationship between the two countries on all levels.

During the meeting the prime minister said that relationship was not based on political expediency rather it was “etched deep” in the hearts of every Pakistani and Saudi national.