PM Khan heads to Saudi Arabia on first foreign trip

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday departed for Saudi Arabia on a first foreign trip after he took office as chief executive of the country last month.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry are accompanying  the premier in his visit to the kingdom.

The prime minister will be visiting Saudi Arabia on the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

During his two-day visit, he will meet King Salman to discuss many important bilateral, regional and International issues. Similarly, matters related to welfare of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and ways to enhance people to people contact are likely to come up for the discussion.

The Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen will also call on the premier.

Imran Khan will perform Umrah and visit Madina to pay respect at Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH).

The king will host a state banquet for the prime minister of Pakistan at the royal court, according to the foreign ministry statement.

The premier along with delegation will then head to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders will discuss issues of bilateral interest.

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting Riyadh on the invitation of Saudi leadership.”

Imran will meet Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.

The visit comes days after Saudi Information Minister visited Pakistan and met with Prime Minister Khan and other top civil and military officials.

Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul Aziz had telephoned Khan and felicitated him over his party’s victory in the July 25 general elections.