\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.dawn.com\/large\/2026\/04\/1513441369a5c24.webp\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed from Islamabad for Jeddah on Wednesday, kicking off a series of official visits to Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar, according to the Foreign Office (FO).<\/p>\n
The prime minister, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is undertaking official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye from April 15 to 18, the FO said in a press release<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n According to the Prime Minister\u2019s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz will hold a meeting with top Saudi leadership, including Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n In its statement, the FO said the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar are \u201cin the bilateral context\u201d. It added that the premier will meet the leadership there to \u201cdiscuss ongoing bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security\u201d.<\/p>\n In Turkiye, he will participate in the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum and present Pakistan\u2019s position in the Leaders\u2019 Panel along with other world leaders, the FO added.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan\u2019s participation in the forum reflects its continued commitment to constructive diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and meaningful engagement with the international community on issues of global importance,\u201d the FO statement said.<\/p>\n On the sidelines of the forum, PM Shehbaz was \u201cexpected to hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan and other key world leaders\u201d.<\/p>\n The premier is accompanied by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Fatemi, as well as other senior officials.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Gulf countries \u2014 including Saudi Arabia<\/u><\/a> \u2014 were facing Iranian attacks<\/u><\/a>, which Tehran says<\/u><\/a> were aimed at US and Israeli sites in response to the latter\u2019s deadly large-scale strikes<\/u><\/a>. Pakistan intensified efforts<\/a> to act as a mediator between the United States and Iran to end the war that had engulfed the Middle East, leading to a fragile temporary ceasefire and a first round of talks<\/a> in Islamabad.<\/p>\n Last month, PM Shehbaz hailed<\/a> Saudi Arabia for showing \u201cremarkable restraint\u201d during the ongoing hostilities and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation.<\/p>\n On March 9, PM Shehbaz held a \u201crestricted meeting<\/a>\u201d with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a statement by the PM\u2019s spokesperson.<\/p>\n During the meeting, the prime minister expressed Pakistan\u2019s \u201cfull solidarity and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in these challenging times\u201d, and both leaders agreed to work together for regional peace and stability.<\/p>\n Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long shared a multifaceted relationship rooted in strategic military cooperation, mutual economic interests, and shared Islamic heritage. These ties have encompassed economic assistance<\/u><\/a> and energy supplies<\/u><\/a>, with Riyadh being a significant source<\/u><\/a> of financial aid and oil for Islamabad.<\/p>\n Earlier today, the finance ministry announced<\/a> that Saudi Arabia has pledged an additional $3 billion in deposits for Pakistan and has extended its existing $5bn facility for a further three years.<\/p>\n The ministry further stated that the existing $5bn Saudi deposit would no longer be subject to the previous annual rollover<\/u><\/a> arrangement and would instead be extended for a longer term.<\/p>\n On April 11, the Saudi defence ministry confirmed that Pakistan has sent a military force<\/a> and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to boost security under a joint defence cooperation agreement between the two countries.<\/p>\n In September of last year, PM Shehbaz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed<\/u><\/a> a \u201cStrategic Mutual Defence Agreement\u201d in Riyadh, pledging that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n