PM to visit S. Arabia next week
70
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia next week to meet the new king.
A brief statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said that Mr Sharif would travel to Saudi Arabia on “a special invitation” from King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
The reason for the sudden invitation was unclear.
Also read: PM Nawaz meets Saudi crown prince
Mr Sharif travelled twice to the kingdom in January, once to inquire about the health of former King Abdullah and then to attend his funeral.
He held extensive talks with then Crown Prince Salman on bilateral relations, Middle East situation and issues facing the Muslim world. The issue of financing terror groups in Pakistan by some Saudi entities was also raised.
Know more: Gen Raheel meets with Saudi political, military leadership
Saudi Arabia is recently facing intense criticism in Pakistan because of alleged terrorism funding from there.
Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015
On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (70) Closed
Feb 28, 2015 08:26am
Civil and military have no other job but to travel the globe! Great job leading a country on the brink of disaster!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 08:41am
Pak-Saudi relation must be enhanced in every field of life,two brethren country.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 08:52am
Can NS raise voice against regular hangings of Pakistanis for drug trafficing without any sufficient proofs ?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:10am
Again??????? Unbelievable.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:16am
This is getting beyond ridiculous.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:40am
Actually, Nawaz's Pakistan visa is expiring and that is why he has to go back to his home in KSA to apply for a renewal.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:49am
The new king has been very angry about Pakistani politicians blaming Saudi Arabia for spreading of Terrorism in Pakistan. They treat us as their slaves.
That is why he has summoned the leader of the 'Rafiqquis' to his palace and answer him about these charges.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:52am
What the point of such frequent visits is hard to understand, hopefully it is not to take any dictation. Perhaps it is a business visit making it look official. but any case he should talk about Pakistanis being executed there and ask them to not finance any Madresas in the future.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 10:06am
Around the world on tax payers money!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 10:25am
Pakistan deserves btr, I read dawn n see the hope n aspiration ppl hv. But the leadership needed is far from sight n preach more Kashmir dn Pakistan .
God bless!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 10:33am
Let's hope Saudis do not come up with any unreasonable request. For long they are playing front of Americans. Do anyone remember Raymond Davis saga?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 10:50am
Pakistan should take care of her interests exactly as Saudi monarch and other countries in region do but Pakistani leadership is corrupt and always looking for few pennies hence easily sells Pakistan's interests. Influence of Saudia in south Asia is a serious danger for Pakistan's survival and peace of her inhabitants but Pakistani leadership does not care.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 11:02am
This seems like to built pressure on NS to stop hanging saudi backed terrorists in Pakistan. I won't be surprised if govt will stop any further death penalties after this visit.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 12:16pm
Why doesn't NS save the money and just move to Saudi. It will be beneficial to him and all Pakistanis.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 12:36pm
Special invitation? Nawaz normally goes to Saudia every 3 or 4 months.
For Umrah. And mostly to pray and fast and ask God Almighty for forgiveness.
He also owns two mansions in Saudia.. In Medina and Riyadh.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 12:56pm
@Dwaraka Nath
When you break the law of a country you should be ready to face the punishment. There should be no misconception regarding the matter of proof. No punishment is meted out in SA without sufficient proof.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 01:05pm
@Kashif Jilani so this time Shakeel afridi ?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 01:08pm
Come on! Why is there such a commotion on his visit to Saudi Arabia? It is the only country along with China with whom we have good relations. Let's not tarnish them and let the relations flourish. We don't want to go isolated in the world.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 01:09pm
Why he continue to Visit KSA every week. During the time him.and his brother was exiled in KSA him and his.brother invested heavily in that country including still mills. He now go every week to.look after his businesses in case if he have to.take refuge there again. Thats the truth.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 01:15pm
Oil is more important than bleeding nation.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 01:15pm
Terror funding by Saudis must be discussed. Pakistan can no longer turn a blind eye. The Saudi rulers have clergy who are out of control and they are sending their extremism to Pakistan. It must stop.
If they truly want to help Pakistan then they should invest and buy Pakistani goods.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 01:55pm
So sad and what a disgrace - NS must run at every call - KSA king does not come over to the AJAMI. Are we or should I say is he giving a signal that we are inferior and we are being called by a superior.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 02:48pm
someone doesn't even visit his in-laws so often that our PM Shareef visits Saudia.
just an observation.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 02:49pm
@AXH
citizenship?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:11pm
He might as well move his official residence and office to where his bosses are
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:20pm
@Aisha please expand your mind and vision , international visits require to maintain the Pak affairs .
Gujjar
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:21pm
Why man is there no country left for him to visit....
just expand your horizons and dont visit only masters..
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:30pm
@Gujjar
International visits on state expense are required for NS personal investment affairs - his brother has finally declared that he has more money offshore than in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:32pm
Pakistan is a saudi arab colony and all its leaders are saudi puppets.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:50pm
Can we request them to keep him there permanently ??
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 03:54pm
"Special Invitation by the Saudis" = Summoned by the masters
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 04:07pm
There must be a 'special gift' awaiting PM NS!!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 04:24pm
@AXH well said.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 04:25pm
@Rabb Nawaz .you hit nail on the head.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 05:09pm
Hope he is taking some Houbara Bustards as a gift to the king!!
Shame!!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:11pm
I sincerely hope Pakistan is not going to get involved in Syria now that the Saudis are beginning to lose there
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:21pm
Whatever, the country , Pakistan has to balance its vital interests against the others'. If for some reason this not done, the disadvantages can be very harmful.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:24pm
Better he stay there forever. He is more useful and faithful to the Saud family.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:38pm
Zardari was defamed for nothing, this PM is constantly on tour. What is the matter with these leaders. They mostly come in to the office to see the world at government expense. Furthermore every time they go anywhere they carry a plane load of friends and family. Every trip runs into millions, and then they don't have anything for education or health care etc.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:43pm
New allegiance is required to the new king so that riyalains can keep flowing.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:49pm
He is gone to get some "sifarish" so Army keep him in power a bit longer!
letting Pakistan down by boot licking Saudis!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:55pm
@Gujjar this is not international diplomatic trip every week along with none other than his own brother the little Sharif.
It looks more visiting their masters! otherwise diplomatic relations when one head of state visit the other head of state pay a return visit. remind me when was the last saudi kind visited Pakistan?? so get real! dont suck it up like Sharifs
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:56pm
Time to worship your master and your king...... make sure to praise the support they provide to our terrorists.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 06:58pm
Chill. The king wants to go hunting and told sharif to come there and sign the permit..now
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 07:28pm
Oh i was very worry because NS did not travel in this month but now i am satisfied that this man is only for trips and tours.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 07:57pm
Gen Raheel visited Saudi Arabia recently so Kind will direct Nawaz to do what Gen Raheel and his masters want Nawaz to do. This is really ridiculous. Saudi Arabia is hanging Pakistani almost every day and funding terrorist in Pakistan and we are call them our brother. Give me a break man.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 08:02pm
@saz :: I wish you would not say that Saudi influence is over South Asia. Saudi influence is over only Muslim nations and no other - not even in South Asia which are non-Muslim.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 08:18pm
There won't be any effect of Pakistani criticism of funding to terrorists groups operating in Pakistan by KSA because it is usual and normal practice to support Saudi theology in Pakistan, let it be a Talban. Let, Leg and now ISIS or Daish etc. No doubt now Saudis are suffering by their own sons brought up illegally in others land.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 08:30pm
Time to get some money
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:21pm
With such peace and tranquility at home and so much leisurely time at hand... What's the harm?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:38pm
to discuss dates if and when is china president comming ?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:41pm
Prime ministers are supposed to travel the world. And pakistan is finally doing better than before. Economy is picking up and terrorism is much less of a problem now.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 09:49pm
Of course, pay respects to your paymasters.. And please, do us a favor, stay there!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 10:03pm
Pakistan has made recent breakthroughs in Bustard science. They will breed a special variety of Bustard in the Rab-Al-Khali desert of KSA so that His Highnesses don't have to come here to hunt with or without licenses.
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 11:25pm
What else can he do?
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 11:31pm
He just came back from there. More Saudi propaganda we have to bear!
Recommend
0
Feb 28, 2015 11:32pm
@abdul manan : " Brethren country " is overstatement. Boss and the subordinate is the right word. Friendship of interests.
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 12:52am
Contrary to common belief on the streets of Pakistan, neither SA, nor China is a friendly country. Both are business oriented profiteers and mischief mongers in the area. Pakistani politicians will have to learn that sooner or later. Tighten your belts, be prepared for sacrifices and develop your own economy. It can be done and let them follow Pakistan. That should be the future outlook.
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 12:54am
He should be deported once again the country he choose to take refuge while in exile he build empire.
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 12:55am
@Ali Shah it already has
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 12:59am
@Prodigy at least for Saudis we can safely assume they are the reason we are already isolated. Let's have some distance with them and then see how we prosper.
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 01:15am
Again???
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 01:30am
King probably wants to know about hunting birds ! What's up with this endangered species stuff mr NS ?
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 02:08am
Some people are very unhappy about Saudi -Pakistan relations. I wonder why?
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 03:10am
When Saudis will STOP funding sectarian divide in Pakistan...and elsewhere. Our honorary PM will get some more instructions and some promises of LOANS (Chanda) during this official PHERA.
PHERA = TOUR
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 04:08am
that's called sarcastic view
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 04:20am
Sir, Saudi Arabia is the second best friend of Nawaz. Both friends are giving lot of money to Nawaz to destroy the Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 04:30am
It is vital to improve relationship between Pakistan and all Ummah nations . Btw, did anyone notice the high level Saudi dignitaries greeting and receiving Nawaz Sharrif ? Thats real clout and respect. Lets see if even a Saudi policeman turns up to receive India's Modi !
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 06:29am
@Chitral wala that is his personal business he should learn there from the king how the law and order is maintained in all the vast kingdom and people live with security and not daily looting and shooting and killings and rishwat and a lot more ---- GET HELP AND LEARN it is never late in anyone's life t strive for better --- he will be asked how he governed and how the Pakistanis suffered under the NAWAZ RULE
Recommend
0
Mar 01, 2015 07:19am
Stay there for good please!!
Recommend
0
