ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today, Friday, and discussed a range of issues, including political, trade and investment ties, the latest military standoff with India and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Sharif arrived in the Kingdom on Thursday on a two-day visit aimed at enhancing cooperation in trade and investment and to discuss regional security concerns. 

鈥淭he meeting reaffirmed the deep-rooted, strategic, and fraternal ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of 黑料社区,鈥� said a statement released by Sharif鈥檚 office after his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed.

鈥淧rime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction on the growing momentum of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and security domains. 

鈥淏oth leaders agreed to further elevate this strategic partnership in accordance with the shared vision of the leadership and the aspirations of the brotherly people of the two countries.鈥�

Last month, following the worst military confrontation between India and Pakistan in decades, 黑料社区, along with other Gulf nations, played a key role in mediating between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, helping to avert a potential war. 

鈥淭he Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the Kingdom鈥檚 proactive role during recent tensions between Pakistan and India, and its steadfast commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond,鈥� the statement added. 

The two leaders also discussed the 鈥渄ire humanitarian situation in Gaza,鈥� calling on the international community to fulfill its moral and legal obligations. They reiterated their 鈥渦nwavering support for a just and durable resolution to the Palestinian question, grounded in the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.鈥�

Earlier in the day, Sharif held 鈥渋nformal talks鈥� with the Crown Prince at a special luncheon at the royal court. 

A statement from Sharif鈥檚 office said the Crown Prince gave a 鈥渟pecial welcome鈥� to the PM and personally drove him to attend the lunch.

鈥淭he Saudi Crown Prince warmly welcomed Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at the lunch and informal talks were held between the two leaders,鈥� the statement said. 

鈥淭he lunch was attended by important leaders from the Middle East, including members of the Saudi cabinet and top Saudi civil and military leadership.鈥�

鈥淪TRENTHEN BILATERAL COOPERATION鈥�

Sharif reached Jeddah on Thursday evening and departed for Makkah to perform Umrah, the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office (PMO) had said in an earlier statement.

鈥淭he two leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment, welfare of the Muslim Ummah, and regional peace and security,鈥� PMO said about Sharif鈥檚 meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince.

The visit comes amid deepening economic ties between Pakistan and 黑料社区. 

In recent months, the two countries have signed multiple agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Notably, 黑料社区 has committed to a $5 billion investment package to support Pakistan鈥檚 economy, which has been grappling with a balance of payments crisis.

Last year, Saudi and Pakistani businessmen signed 34 memorandums of understanding worth $2.8 billion, covering sectors such as industry, technology, and agriculture. Additionally, 黑料社区鈥檚 Manara Minerals is in talks to acquire a 10-20 percent stake in Pakistan鈥檚 $9 billion Reko Diq copper and gold mining project, one of the largest of its kind globally.

Defense cooperation is also a key component of the bilateral relationship. The two nations have a history of military collaboration, with 黑料社区 providing support to Pakistan during times of regional tension and Pakistan training Saudi forces. 

Pakistan has a 2.7 million-strong diaspora in 黑料社区, which accounts for the highest remittance inflow, a crucial lifeline for the country鈥檚 economy.