'Pakistan attaches importance to its ties with Saudi Arabia'

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Saudi Arabia is a great friend of Pakistan and has stood by it in every hour of need. He said that people of the two countries have deep affiliation with each other. Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia. He said that historical fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are turning into useful economic ties.
He said that the government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is making sincere efforts to cope with the challenges being faced by the country. He said that energy crisis and extremism would be rooted out and Pakistan would be put on the road to progress and prosperity.
He was talking to Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan, Abdulaziz Al-Ghadeer who called on him, here Sunday. Matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations were discussed in the meeting. Talking to the Saudi Ambassador, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that economic and trade relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are strengthening and people of the two countries are bound together in deep-rooted religious and fraternal ties. He said that Saudi Arabian government, Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and people of Saudi Arabia have helped Pakistan in every moment of trial. He said that the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince to Pakistan has further strengthened brotherly relations between the two countries. Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif wants to further strengthen relationship with Saudi Arabia. Referring to the problems being faced by Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif said that the country is beset with energy crisis and extremism however Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is determined to overcome these issues and making sincere efforts in this regard. He said that Khidmat Card Programme in Punjab while Youth Loan Scheme at the federal level and other projects would bring about economic and social stability in Pakistan. He said that the purpose of these programmes is to divert national resources to the common man.