ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, hasconfirmed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected toundertake an official visit to Pakistan in the near future. Thisdevelopment follows a series of high-level engagements that havestrengthened bilateral relations, particularly after the signing of aStrategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September 2025. The anticipated visitis poised to accelerate economic cooperation, with preparations underwayfor multiple agreements spanning key sectors. Such a trip would mark asignificant milestone in fraternal ties between the two nations, buildingon recent diplomatic momentum and shared strategic interests.
The confirmation from Ambassador Farooq underscores the positive trajectoryof Pakistan-Saudi relations. In recent statements, the ambassadorhighlighted that the defense pact has opened new dimensions in bilateralcooperation, extending beyond military domains into economic and tradespheres. He noted that several investment and trade agreements signedduring Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visits to Saudi Arabia have nowmoved into implementation, yielding visible benefits for Pakistan’seconomy. This progress sets the stage for further advancements during thecrown prince’s forthcoming visit.
A key aspect of the upcoming engagements involves the finalization ofagreements in eight distinct sectors. Ambassador Farooq specified thatthese include information technology, agriculture, and textiles, amongothers. The primary objective remains to boost Pakistani exports to theSaudi market and foster joint ventures that align with both countries’development priorities. Such sectoral focus reflects a strategic shifttoward sustainable economic partnerships, complementing the broaderEconomic Cooperation Framework launched in late 2025.
Bilateral trade figures provide concrete evidence of this growingcollaboration. Pakistani exports to Saudi Arabia have reached a historichigh of USD 720 million annually, while services exports stand at USD 590million. Combined, these represent a total trade value exceeding USD 1.3billion in recent assessments. The upward trend demonstrates the tangibleoutcomes of ongoing dialogues and agreements, with expectations that thecrown prince’s visit will catalyze additional investments and exportopportunities in priority areas.
Priority sectors repeatedly identified in joint statements encompassenergy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture, andfood security. These align closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030objectives and Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign direct investmentthrough frameworks like the Special Investment Facilitation Council.Discussions have emphasized joint projects in value-added agriculture,digital innovation, and export-oriented industries such as textiles, whichhold substantial potential for mutual benefit.
The defense agreement signed in Riyadh in September 2025 has served as acatalyst for this expanded cooperation. It formalizes long-standingstrategic ties, treating any aggression against one nation as an aggressionagainst both. Ambassador Farooq described this as a natural continuation ofdecades-old defense partnership, now extending to intelligence sharing,joint exercises, and cybersecurity. This foundation enhances confidence inpursuing deeper economic linkages during high-level visits.
Recent diplomatic interactions further reinforce the momentum. In December2025, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his desire for an officialvisit to Pakistan in 2026 during a telephone conversation with PrimeMinister Shehbaz Sharif. Both leaders reaffirmed commitments to expandcooperation in trade, investment, and defense. Subsequent engagements,including meetings with the Saudi ambassador in Islamabad, have maintainedthis positive dialogue, signaling readiness for concrete outcomes.
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The anticipated visit carries broader implications for regional stabilityand economic resilience. Pakistan seeks to leverage Saudi investments incritical areas to support growth amid global challenges. For Saudi Arabia,partnerships with Pakistan offer avenues to diversify investments andaccess skilled human resources, particularly in emerging technologies andagriculture. The inclusion of IT underscores a focus on digitaltransformation, while agriculture and textiles target food security andindustrial collaboration.
Ambassador Farooq’s confirmation arrives at a time of heightened bilateralactivity. Multiple high-level exchanges throughout 2025, including theprime minister’s participation in Saudi investment forums, have laidgroundwork for sustained progress. As agreements in the eight sectors nearfinalization, the visit is expected to provide the impetus for their swiftimplementation, potentially unlocking substantial economic value.
In summary, the impending visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmanrepresents a pivotal opportunity to consolidate gains from recent pacts andpropel Pakistan-Saudi relations to new heights. With confirmed preparationsacross diverse sectors, the engagement promises to deliver lasting benefitsin trade, investment, and strategic alignment.
Source:https://www.app.com.pk/national/pak-saudi-defense-agreement-opens-new-dimensions-in-bilateral-relations-ambassador-ahmed-farooq
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