PM Nawaz meets Saudi King Salman after Umrah

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

MAKKAH: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday performed Umrah and met Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, said a press release issued by the Saudi Press Agency.

"During the meeting, they discussed aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two sisterly countries and discussed the latest developments at regional and international arenas," said the agency.

Various issues of mutual interest also came under discussion — including the situation in Yemen where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Houthi rebels since April — during the meeting that lasted an hour, reported DawnNews.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban who is the accompanying Minister, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel bin Zaid Al-Toraifi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir as well as the Minister of Finance of Pakistan Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

According to a statement from the PM House, the Saudi King also hosted an Iftar dinner in honour of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to Saudi media, the premier also extended condolences to the Saudi King on the demise of Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Earlier today, the premier had reached Jeddah to perform Umrah and was received by officials of the Pakistani Embassy in Jeddah at the airport.

Upon arrival at the entrance of the Grand Mosque for Umrah, the premier was received by a number of Saudi officials.

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Tamza

Jul 13, 2015 12:57am

someone needs to issue a fatwa that excessive umra's are not good. for every umma this PM does the government could sponsor a 1000 poor people

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String

Jul 13, 2015 12:58am

He should spend time in Pak , it is not proper what PM is doing with Pak

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Hashim Khan

Jul 13, 2015 01:05am

@Tamza you are right. But there's umra diplomacy going on here.

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L.Ahmad

Jul 13, 2015 01:35am

No point in performing multiple Umrahs because you have failed the poors of your country as they struggle for the basic needs. But you keep on living a life of luxury.

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isro ,india

Jul 13, 2015 01:43am

Who pays these visits?? Every month this guy is in Saudi Arabia.

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syed

Jul 13, 2015 01:51am

Our pm was received at the airport by embassy staff. Saudi govt did not send anyone?

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TAM

Jul 13, 2015 01:53am

@Tamza Brilliant comment and Bravo to Dawn for publishing it.

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kausik

Jul 13, 2015 02:13am

There is no mention if PM raise issue of Zaid Hamid a Prominent Pakitani citizen,activist,TV personality,Journalist being jailed and punished in saudi arabia for expressing his opinions on Twitter.This is against all canons ofinternational laws and Human Rights voilation.I strongly urge Palistan Govt to seek release immidiatly and bring him back to home.It is humiliating to entire humanity that allegation is Blasphamy and he is to be lashed in public.I am shocked that there is no strong response from pakistani people and Governament.I do not agree with vies of Hamid but strongly defend his freedom of expression.

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AhmedT67

Jul 13, 2015 02:15am

Please bring $50 Billion investment - which is not too big. This combined with the Chinese we won't need anyone or anything else.

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Ayaz

Jul 13, 2015 02:19am

wasting public money like water ... Umra at public expense?

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Khan-USA

Jul 13, 2015 02:30am

PM was probably trying to apologize for not helping Kingdom when they were under threat .

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Dr K

Jul 13, 2015 02:54am

How often does NS visit Saudi?

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Wajid

Jul 13, 2015 02:56am

The best PM we have , I love NAwaz Sharif and all the respect for him , Good luck to him

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Aleem

Jul 13, 2015 02:57am

@Tamza In Saudi-Pakistani relations, leaders don't do make trips to KSA to do Umrah. That is a cover for confidential inter-governmental meetings and as a fringe benefit, the leaders do Umrah as well since they are in the country. In all fairness to NS, and I am no fan of his, this is a routine trip to shore up Pak-Saudi relations. All leaders of Pakistan have done this.

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Iqbal khan

Jul 13, 2015 03:07am

I m sure he must have paid all the expense from his own pocket.He will never do otherwise in Ramadhan and I request his information minister or press secretary to confirm that publicly.

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Jul 13, 2015 03:11am

It's time to take Donations in shape of financial assistance! I don't know, when our hard working, intelligent and Loyal with country stand Up and Say Good bye of multi billionaire leaders who sold our self respect to buy Palaces in World

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Ifti

Jul 13, 2015 03:13am

@Tamza : How holier these guys get after each Umrah. Tamza you said it right. The money used for multiple Umrahs should be used to help some needy which is more in line with the religious teachings.

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Pragmatic

Jul 13, 2015 03:16am

Shouldn't there be certain protocol when a prime minister visits some country, besides our own embassy and some officials?

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Zak

Jul 13, 2015 03:17am

Good to know we are lead by very pious man.

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Amir Mahmood

Jul 13, 2015 03:26am

This PM has performed more Umrahs than all previous PMs combined.

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Doniya

Jul 13, 2015 03:29am

I must ask why???

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Cyrus

Jul 13, 2015 04:32am

The philosophic bond between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, religion aside, is political reform in both countries.

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Faryad for Justice

Jul 13, 2015 05:04am

How many visit so far this year. Use that money and feed the needy in that country. Its Ramadan and soon it will be Eid, savings from these trips may help our needy brotheren.

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Jul 13, 2015 05:07am

PM loves his umras, only if he was that sincere in serving his people!

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Shahid

Jul 13, 2015 05:15am

It is the high time to renew friendship with the kingdom and assure them that when real hour of need comes we will not hesitate to spill our blood to save Saudi Arabia's integrity. Saudi Arabia has been our strategic partner for a long time and has been there for us when we were under immense economic pressure after neuclear tests.

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petrolhead

Jul 13, 2015 05:15am

@Dr K I think a better question would be 'How often does the PM visit Pakistan?'

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petrolhead

Jul 13, 2015 05:19am

@Zak So pious that Umrahs and visits to the KSA take preference over serving the poor, starving and crumbling people that he governs.

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Wahid Abdullah

Jul 13, 2015 05:38am

@Wajid You love him because of the number of Umrah's he perform or the way he is running the democracy?

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atif

Jul 13, 2015 06:20am

performed umrah; at the expense of state?

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atti

Jul 13, 2015 07:10am

My role models for islamic world

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Ghazi

Jul 13, 2015 10:18pm

Saudi Arab should release Zaid Hamid too, his views may not be the ones to agree to, but he is a citizen of Pakistan, none can deny that.

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Ghazi

Jul 13, 2015 10:19pm

Release Zaid Hamid.

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