RAWALPINDI: Gover­­nor of Saudi Arabia’s province of Tabuk Fahad bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Monday held meetings with top civilian and military leaderships of Pakistan.

The Tabuk governor, who is leading a 24-member Saudi delegation, met Presi­dent Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The meetings are being described as a prelude to the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during which the kingdom is expected to announce major investments in Pakistan, including setting up of a $10 billion oil refinery in Gwadar. The crown prince is expected to visit Pakistan in February.

The governor’s visit was preceded by Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih’s visit to Gwadar last weekend.

Mr Falih during his trip said: “Saudi Arabia wants to make Pakistan’s economic development stable through establishing an oil refinery and partnership with Pakis­tan in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”

Fahad bin Sultan’s visit apparently had a greater military content.

President Dr Arif Alvi told the Tabuk governor that Pakistan was desirous of further enhancing relations with the kingdom in all fields. Mr Alvi hoped that recent leadership-level interactions would further cement the relations bet­ween the two countries. He noted the growth in trade and investment relations.

Later, Fahad bin Sultan met Prime Minister Imran Khan at his office. The meeting was also attended by Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement that during the Tabuk governor’s meeting with Gen Bajwa “matters of mutual interest including regional security situation came under discussion”.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2019