RIYADH – Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia has receivedextra ordinary coverage in Arab Media.

His visit has been highlighted in the Gulf media as ‘start of a new era’.

The prime minister arrived in Medina Tuesday on his first foreign visitsince coming to power, with speculation swirling that he may be seekingeconomic assistance from the oil-rich ally.

The two-day trip began exactly one month after Khan assumed office, withPakistan possibly seeking billions of dollars in assistance from allies asit seeks to avert a balance-of-payments crisis.

“Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia and UAE willstart a new era,” headlined Gulf News.

The major newspapers of the region highlighted the visit on their frontpages and as top story on their websites.

Soon after landing in Medina, the premier was escorted to the Prophet’sMosque in heavy security where offered Maghrib prayers and Nawafil inRiaz-ul-Jannah.

In Makkah, the prime minister was greeted warmly at the Grand Mosque by alarge crowd when he went there to perform Umrah.

Doors of the Holy Kaaba were exclusively opened for Imran Khan by the Saudiauthorities.