Prime Minister Shehbaz praises Saudi economic support and highlights a strong defense partnership

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed deep appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support to strengthen the country’s economic stability during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, while affirming the close defense and security partnership between the two nations, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X.

The statement comes a day after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pledged $3 billion in deposits, with disbursement expected in the coming week. The existing Saudi Arabian deposit of $5 billion will no longer be subject to the previous annual rollover arrangement, but will instead be extended for a longer period.

During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom” and expressed “deep appreciation for its patience and restraint under the able leadership of His Royal Highness in these challenging times,” the statement added.

He also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s consistent financial support. “I also expressed sincere appreciation for the Kingdom’s consistent support for Pakistan’s economic stability while highlighting the unique defense and security relationship between our two countries,” the statement read.

In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”. The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Pakistan has sent fighter jets and other military forces to Saudi Arabia to boost security under the defense pact between the two countries, the kingdom’s defense ministry confirmed on April 11.

Read more: Pakistan in diplomatic overdrive

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen what was described as an “enduring partnership” between Islamabad and Riyadh.

The Prime Minister also briefed the Saudi leadership on Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts. “I reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to advance its efforts to encourage both the US and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region,” he said while expressing gratitude for the crown prince’s support for Pakistan’s peace initiatives.

The Prime Minister is on a three-nation tour until Friday, when he will also visit Qatar and Turkey amid ongoing Middle East peace talks.

The prime minister’s meeting with the Saudi prince comes four days after the US and Iran were unable to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon talks lasting around 21 hours. The protracted talks, aimed at ending hostilities that have killed thousands and driven up global oil prices over the past six weeks, ended with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.

On 11 April, US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan for final talks following a two-week immediate ceasefire “everywhere, including Lebanon”, announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz, who later invited delegations from both countries to Islamabad.

Read also: FM Dar urges US and Iran to uphold ceasefire commitment after talks end without deal

The United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and leaving tens of thousands injured, with civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites, among those affected.

The conflict also expanded geographically. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries that host US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also visited Madinah from Jeddah as part of his official visit to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement issued by the PMO. On arrival, the Prime Minister and his delegation were received by the Governor of Madinah, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

During his stay, the Prime Minister visited Masjid an-Nabawi, where he prayed and supplicated for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, as well as for peace and harmony throughout the world.

The statement said special arrangements were made for the prime minister and his delegation, including access to the Rawdah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where he offered prayers and sent greetings to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Prime Minister is scheduled to conclude his Saudi Arabian visit and depart from Madinah for Doha, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The visit is part of the Prime Minister’s broader diplomatic engagement in the region, the PMO statement added.