Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Forge Enhanced Economic Partnership Amid High-Level Business Delegation Visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to expand its economic partnership with Saudi Arabia, moving beyond traditional diplomatic, defense and economic ties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a visiting Saudi business delegation, according to a government statement issued late Thursday.

A high-powered Saudi delegation led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council, met Sharif in Islamabad and expressed interest in investing in various Pakistani infrastructure, energy and technology projects, the statement said.

The visit comes as Pakistan aims to attract foreign investment to support economic growth and strengthen external finances, while deepening commercial links with Gulf allies. Saudi Arabia stands as one of Pakistan’s closest partners and has provided financial support to Islamabad during times of economic stress.

Sharif informed the delegation that Pakistan is keen to elevate its ties with the Kingdom into “a mutually beneficial economic partnership” and referenced Prince Mansour’s previous visit in October 2025.

“He hoped that the current visit would help both sides to carry forward the discussions and sign MoUs and agreements in various fields,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Prince Mansour thanked Sharif for the hospitality and conveyed the Saudi government’s and business community’s desire to expand business-to-business engagement with Pakistan, the statement said.

The delegation expressed interest “in investment in projects related to ports, highways, airports outsourcing, energy, power distribution, IT sector etc,” it added.

Sharif welcomed Saudi investment interests and suggested agriculture and food security as additional sectors where the two countries could pursue mutually beneficial collaboration.

The Saudi delegation is expected to hold meetings with senior government officials and private-sector representatives during its visit to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

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