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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today, Wednesday, during a day-long state visit to the Kingdom to discuss regional and global developments and formalize bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, according to the foreign office of Pakistan.

Sharif has visited �������� multiple times since assuming office, including twice this year, aiming to strengthen trade, investment and economic ties. Last year in October, both countries signed 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements worth $2.8 billion. These agreements were aimed at increasing private sector cooperation and commercial partnerships.

The Pakistani prime minister’s visit to �������� this time comes amid rising volatility in the Middle East, where Israel has substantially expanded its military campaign by targeting several regional countries, including Iran in a 12-day war and Qatar in an airstrike earlier this month. The strike on Qatar came as its leadership was facilitating ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Sharif also met the Saudi crown prince on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha earlier this week, a meeting convened in support of Qatar after the Israel attack targeting Hamas leaders.

“At the invitation of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is undertaking a state visit to the Kingdom of �������� on 17 September 2025,” the foreign office said on Wednesday. “He will be accompanied by key members of the Cabinet.”

“The two leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” the statement continued. “The visit is expected to result in the formalization of cooperation in diverse fields, reflecting the shared commitment of both sides to further enhance and deepen their longstanding fraternal ties.”

According to the foreign office, both leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of Pakistan-�������� relations. The statement noted that Pakistan and �������� enjoy a historic relationship, rooted in shared faith, values and mutual trust.

“The visit of the Prime Minister will provide an important opportunity to the two leaders to consolidate this unique partnership, while exploring new avenues of collaboration, for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries,” it added.

Pakistan considers �������� as one of its closest strategic partners and economic allies in the region. The Kingdom has extended significant support to Pakistan during Islamabad’s prolonged economic challenges in recent years, which includes external financing and assistance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs.

�������� is also the largest source of foreign remittances for Pakistan, where over 2.5 million expatriates reside. These remittances are crucial for keeping Pakistan’s fragile, $350 billion economy afloat as it faces external pressures and macroeconomic challenges.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening cooperation in agriculture, environmental protection and mass transit, President Asif Ali Zardari’s office said on Tuesday, marking a new phase in bilateral collaboration between both countries.

The first MoU was related to the development of a Controlled Agriculture Science and Education Park to enhance agricultural production efficiency and strengthen food security.

The second one related to the construction of Shennong College, a vocational institute in Pakistan, to provide advanced integrated technology and training to farmers. The third agreement was about a Tyre Recycling Project, promoting environmentally sustainable waste management practices.

“These MoUs reflect a practical step toward strengthened cooperation between Pakistan and China in agriculture, technology, and environmental management,” President Zardari’s office quoted his as saying on the occasion.

President Zardari has been in China on a ten-day visit since Sept. 12, following an official trip to China by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during which Islamabad signed investment agreements and joint ventures worth $8.5 billion with Beijing.

Separately on Tuesday, the Pakistan president met Chen Jining, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Shanghai, where he was briefed on the city’s transformation from a manufacturing hub to a major center of the service industry.

“The meeting also discussed opportunities for industrial collaboration in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones and Gwadar Free Zone, particularly in technology, IT, artificial intelligence and innovation,” Zardari’s office said in a statement.

Pakistan views China as an important strategic ally and investment partner, which has funneled billions of dollars into the country under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy and infrastructure project for over a decade.

Beijing is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade topping $25 billion in recent years, while Chinese firms have also invested heavily in Pakistan’s power, transport, infrastructure and telecom projects.

President Zardari also met Zhu Xiaoping, CEO and Co-founder of SUS Environment Technology Co. Ltd., a leading Chinese waste management company, in Shanghai, with discussions focusing on urban waste management, waste-to-energy projects and integrated treatment solutions.

“President Zardari underlined Pakistan’s need for modern waste management systems, especially in Sindh, and welcomed the prospect of cooperation,” his office added. “Mr Zhu shared SUS Environment’s experience in advanced waste treatment and expressed interest in investing in Pakistan.”