Saudi crown prince conferred with Pakistan's highest civilian award

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi conferred Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with the country’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, at the President House on Monday.

The award was conferred to the Saudi prince in a lavish ceremony organized in the honour of the royal dignitary.

According to the citation provided at the President House, Mohammad bin Salman was conferred with Nishan-e-Pakistan due to his “outstanding support for reinvigorating Pak-Saudi bilateral relationship”.

President Alvi said during his speech on the occasion, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been indispensable partners for a very long time. We have been together for centuries. Our friendship is bound in religion and culture.”

“Even though there is geographical distance between us but we are very close in our hearts. The recent visit of the prime minister and your visit has cemented the friendship between us.”

Following the president’s speech, the Saudi crown prince addressed the audience and extended gratitude to the President Alvi.

“The brotherly relationship between the kingdom and Pakistan focus on the principle of Islamic solidarity. It is a model to be emulated by other nations. Our countries go back 67 years that witnessed continuous development that rendered itself beneficial for both countries,” he said.

“The founding fathers for both countries established these relations on the principles of truthfulness, common understanding and mutual respect that go back to the first days of the establishment of Pakistan, post-World War II,” he continued.

“Our Pakistani brothers participated truthfully and effectively in the great development project that Saudi Arabia witnessed, especially the enlargement project of Masjid-e-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabwi.” The prince further appreciated the efforts of over two million Pakistanis, who are working in Saudi Arabia and are contributing to the development of both the countries.

“I wish all the best to the president and the prime minister in the service of this country and its people.”

To attend the ceremony, the Saudi Prince had arrived at the President House in a horse carriage along with Prime Minister Imran Khan where he was received by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

The visiting Saudi crown prince met with President Arif Alvi after arriving at the Presidency.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman also had a meeting with Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. During the meeting, bilateral military relations and regional security situation were discussed.

The crown prince and other royal guests attended luncheon at the President House following the conferring of award to Prince Muhammad.

After luncheon, the whole Saudi delegation along with the prince is expected to depart for the next leg of their journey. Sources said, the visiting officials will leave for the airport from the President House shortly.

Earlier today, a Saudi delegation and the prince met Sadiq Sanjrani, the speaker of the Senate, with other parliamentarians also in attendance.

Sources informed that earlier in the morning, the crown prince after having breakfast at Prime Minister house, discussed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and other high-ranking state officials warmly welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman upon his arrival in Pakistan on a maiden visit to the country.

PM Khan himself drove the Saudi crown prince to the Prime Minister House, where a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour were presented to the visiting royal.