Pakistan PM, Saudi crown prince discuss regional tensions, bilateral ties in Jeddah

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, focusing on regional security developments and strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to an official statement. Sharif, who is on an official visit to the kingdom, was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The meeting in Jeddah lasted nearly two hours and included a wide-ranging exchange on the evolving situation in the Middle East. During the talks, Sharif expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid heightened regional tensions and conveyed condolences over the loss of lives. He said the people of Pakistan stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the kingdom. He also praised the Saudi leadership’s handling of the crisis, commending what he described as restraint and measured decision-making under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sharif briefed the crown prince on Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions, including initiatives linked to a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and a round of talks between the two countries hosted in Islamabad. The Saudi leader welcomed Pakistan’s role in supporting dialogue and de-escalation. On bilateral ties, Sharif thanked Saudi Arabia for its continued economic support and underscored what he described as a longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries, including cooperation in defense and economic sectors. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Earlier, Sharif arrived in Jeddah with a high-level delegation and was received at the airport by Prince Saud bin Mashaal bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of the Makkah region, along with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan and Pakistan’s envoy to the kingdom. Senior officials, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and foreign policy aide Tariq Fatemi, are also part of the delegation. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close defense and security ties, including military cooperation and economic support. Riyadh has long been a key provider of financial assistance and energy supplies to Islamabad. In September 2025, PM Sharif and Saudi crown prince signed a strategic mutual defense agreement, pledging that an attack on either country would be treated as aggression against both, underscoring the depth of their security partnership.