PM Shehbaz Sharif, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sign the ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement’
Any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both
RIYADH/ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has signed the ”Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement”. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.
This joint statement on the State Visit of Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been issued by Foreign Office of Pakistan on Wednesday.
According to the statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, at the gracious invitation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, paid a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received the Prime Minister of Pakistan at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. Both sides held an official session of talks in the presence of both countries’ delegations. At the outset of the session، the Prime Minister of Pakistan conveyed his greetings and warm wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two sides reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, and a number of topics of common interest.
Building on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement”.
This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation. PM Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed his best wishes for the continued well-being of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the continued progress and prosperity, for the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In turn, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud extended his warm wishes for the good health and well-being of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and for further progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Advocate, Minister for Climate Change Dr. Mosaddiq Malik and Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi were also present in the meeting.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral ties.
The premier received a warm welcome with an aerial escort of Saudi F-15 jets as his plane entered Saudi airspace.
Speaking onboard his special flight, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, for the gracious aerial welcome extended by the Royal Saudi Air Force
PM Shehbaz Sharif is visiting the Kingdom on the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Advocate, Federal Minister for Environment Senator Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, and Special Assistant to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the Prime Minister.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince, to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations.
The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
The visit is expected to result in the formalization of cooperation in diverse fields, reflecting the shared commitment of both sides to further enhance and deepen their longstanding fraternal ties.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a historic relationship, rooted in shared faith, values and mutual trust. The visit of the Prime Minister will provide an important opportunity to the two leaders to consolidate this unique partnership, while exploring new avenues of collaboration, for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.