Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Saudi Arabia is a great friend of Pakistan, which has always supported Pakistan in every hour of trial. He said that people of both the countries have deep affiliation with each other and Pakistan gives great importance to the relations with Saudi Arabia. He said that historic brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are changing into useful economic contacts.
He said that government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is endeavouring for coping with the challenges being faced by the country. He expressed the hope that the country will be put on the road to progress and prosperity by eliminating extremism and energy crisis.
He expressed these views while talking to Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Marzouk Al-Zahrani who called on him, here today. Matters of mutual interest and promotion of bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting. Shahbaz said that trade and economic relations are increasing between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He said that people of both the countries are linked with deep religious relations and brotherhood. He said that Saudi Arabia has always helped Pakistan during war, peace, earthquake, flood or any other natural calamity.
The CM said that Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain, government and people of Saudi Arabia have always helped Pakistan. He said that Pakistan and its people highly value Saudi Arabia. He said that PM Nawaz Sharif also wants to further strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia. Mentioning problems being confronted by Pakistan, Shahbaz said that country is facing big problems like extremism and energy crisis. He said that PM Nawaz Sharif is determined to steer the country out of quagmire of problems and marching forward seriously for overcoming these challenges. Expressing deep sense of sorrow and grief with Saudi Ambassador over the martyrdom of Hujjaj in Mina tragedy, the CM said that Pakistani people are deeply grieved over this tragic incident and equally share the grief of bereaved families.
Saudi Ambassador, Abdullah Marzouk Al-Zahrani said that Saudi Arabia gives special importance to the relations with Pakistan and these relations are further strengthening between both the countries. He said that friendship of both the countries have stood at every hour of trial. He said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has written new chapters of development and prosperity in the province. He said that Saudi Arabia extended cooperation to its brotherly country Pakistan in the past and will continue in future as well.