Mecca: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday began talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the prime minister of his country, at Al-Safa Palace in the holy city of Mecca, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing local media.
According to Nam News Network, Sharif was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, as reported by Radio Pakistan. The discussions between Sharif and Prince Mohammed are anticipated to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation, as well as addressing regional and international developments.
Sharif's arrival in Saudi Arabia on Thursday marked the beginning of talks centered on bilateral cooperation and regional developments. Upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, he was received by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of the Mecca region. Earlier in the day, Sharif performed Umrah in Mecca.
The visit is part of Islamabad's ongoing mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran. In June, Pakistan, alongside Qatar, facilitated talks between the United States and Iran, culminating in a memorandum of understanding on June 18 and the initiation of negotiations toward a final agreement. These negotiations, however, have faced obstacles due to disagreements over maritime security and the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, though recent signals from officials in Iran, Oman, and the US suggest progress towards resolving these issues.
Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia for a one-day working visit on Friday. During his visit, Erdogan is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sharif. Specific details regarding the agenda of these meetings have not been disclosed.
This visit follows a week after Pakistan's inclusion in a new Saudi-led Red Sea naval coalition, which aims to secure the waters from attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Last year, in September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, highlighting the growing military and strategic ties between the two nations.
