ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa saw off Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at Nur Khan Airbase as his first state visit to Islamabad came to an end on Monday evening.
At a joint press briefing prior to Prince Mohammad’s departure, Prime Minister Khan thanked him and expressed his happiness over the royal’s visit, hoping that he would stay longer next time “so I can show you the beauty of Pakistan and the northern areas.”
The prime minister also thanked the visiting dignitary for his announcement this morning to release over 2,000 Pakistani prisoners languishing in Saudi jails with immediate effect.
“I woke up this morning and when I looked at my mobile phone, I realised ─ after your statement last night saying that you would be Pakistan’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia ─ that if you stood in elections here, you would get more votes than me,” the prime minister joked, addressing the crown prince who was standing at a podium to his right. “You are extremely popular,” he added.
“I want to thank you on behalf of the people of Pakistan” for announcing the release of Pakistani prisoners, the prime minister said, also thanking the crown prince for the agreements worth $20 billion that had been signed during his visit.
Prime Minister Khan also noted that with the signing of the new agreements, the existing relationship between the two countries has managed to expand beyond its “narrow confines” and is now “developing into other spheres”.
“But what I feel is that this is just the beginning,” he asserted. “I think Pakistan’s geostrategic location, the comparative advantage Saudi Arabia has in certain areas, and the advantages that Pakistan has ─ the combination augurs very well for the future.”
“We want you to consider Pakistan your second home. The PM House, where you were staying, rest assured that when you are in Pakistan … [you can] consider it your own house and come and stay there,” he told MBS.
Prince Mohammad responded to the prime minister’s offer by saying that he also feels “at home in Pakistan”.
The Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia believes in the future of Pakistan and it will continue to do more for the development and progress of the country.
