My visit to help strengthen Pak-Saudi relations: Shaukat

JEDDAH: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz arrived here on Monday evening on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia. He was received at Jeddah Iternational Airport by Mecca Governor Prince Abdul Majeed. Before departing, he told PTV in Islamabad that he hoped his trip would bring leadership of both countries closer. “I am very hopeful that this trip will bring us closer to the Saudi leadership,” he said. “Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia are deep and historic and a whole range of issues confronting the Muslim ummah will be discussed during the visit.” “The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan will be discussed. The Saudi leadership will be apprised of the latest situation on the composite dialogue with India.” Discussions will also be held with the Saudi leaders about sending Pakistani manpower to Saudi Arabia, he added. On his way to Saudi Arabia, the prime minister sent messages of greetings to heads of states of Iran, UAE and Oman. The messages were sent to Iranian President Hajjatul Islam Syed Muhammad Khatemi, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said of Oman. In his message to Iran’s president, the prime minister said brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran were embedded in the common Islamic heritage and shared perceptions on regional and international issues. He hoped that cooperation between the two governments and peoples would emprove in the years ahead. app

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