Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to arrive in Pakistan on Feb 17: FO

ISLAMABAD: The two-day visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Pakistan has been delayed to February 17, a statement from the Foreign Office of Pakistan said Friday.

A Foreign Office spokesman, however, said the programme with regard to Prince Mohammad's stay in Pakistan will remain unchanged. The crown prince was earlier expected to arrive in the country on February 16.

Price Mohammad is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan and will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the Saudi royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.

During his visit, the crown prince will hold meetings with President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. A delegation of Pakistan’s Senate will also call on him and discuss ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

Ministers from Saudi Arabia will also hold meetings with their Pakistani counterparts to discuss bilateral cooperation.

During Prince Mohammad’s stay, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will sign a number of agreements and MoUs in diverse sectors, including investment, finance, power, renewable energy, internal security, media, culture and sports. The two countries will also discuss ways and means to develop a robust follow-up mechanism to ensure effective implementation and quick progress on tangible areas of cooperation.

Arrangements finalised

A fleet of JF-17 Thunder jets will escort the crown prince’s planes upon entering Pakistan’s airspace.

PM Imran will receive Prince Mohammad at the airport. A 21-gun salute and a guard of honour will be presented to the crown prince upon arrival at the Prime Minister House.

On Thursday night, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements ahead of the Saudi crown prince’s visit.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers, advisers, special assistants, Corps Commander Rawalpindi, DG ISPR and senior government officials.

The meeting reviewed in detail the security arrangements as well as the engagements scheduled for the crown prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Chairing the meeting, PM Imran said that a historic welcome will be given to the Saudi crown prince and his delegation. Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the Saudi royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.

Directing foolproof arrangements for the security and stay of the crown prince and the delegates, the premier was quoted as saying, “I will overlook these arrangements myself.”

Further, the premier said the Saudi crown prince’s visit is “a defining moment for Pakistan”.

The Punjab government has announced the imposition of Section 144 in Rawalpindi during the crown prince’s visit.

Bilateral agreements, MoUs

According to Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal the following MoUs are expected to be signed during Prince Mohammad’s visit to Pakistan:

MoU on drug control, smuggling and psychotropic substances

MoU in the field of mineral resources

MoU on development of renewable energy projects

Agreement on technical cooperation

MoU on combating organized crime

Agreement in the field of youth and sports

Launching of Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council