PM Imran Khan arrives in Madina on official tour of Saudi Arabia

Amir Wasim Dawn.com Published September 18, 2018

Prime Minister Imran Khan arrives in Madina on his first foreign tour. —Courtesy PTI

Prime Minister Imran Khan has reached Madina in the first instalment of a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) — his first foreign tour as prime minister.

He was received at the airport by the governor of Medina, Shahzada Faisal Bin Salman, and Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Khan Hasham Bin Siddique.

The premier is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Hussain and the prime minister's adviser on commerce, Abdul Razak Dawood.

The prime minister and his official delegation will pay their respects at the Holy Prophet's grave and offer evening prayers, according to a statement issued by the foreign ministry.

During his visit on the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, PM Khan will hold meetings with the king and the crown prince.

The Saudi king will host a state banquet for the prime minister at the Royal Court.

Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen will also hold a meeting with the premier. Accompanying ministers will meet their counterparts and discuss bilateral cooperation.

On Wednesday, the prime minister and his delegation will travel to the UAE where they will be received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two will discuss issues of mutual interest.

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WARRIs

Sep 18, 2018 03:42pm

Despite being an undemocratic country, Saudi Arab remains an influence in democratic Pakistan, this must be questioned..

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Huma

Sep 18, 2018 03:42pm

Hope we can get to see our PM at the India vs Pakistan cricket match. That will be awesome

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Ali

Sep 18, 2018 03:44pm

Enjoy foreign tours on poor people's money

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Ahsan Gul

Sep 18, 2018 03:46pm

Hopefully, KSA will not try to twist IK’s hands to commute Nawaz Sharif’s punishments.

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Mohsin

Sep 18, 2018 03:48pm

No Saudi NRO for Shariffs! Period!

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Philosopher (From Japan)

Sep 18, 2018 03:48pm

And austerity measures???

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SDA

Sep 18, 2018 03:53pm

@Ali Not like Nazwaz Sharif did

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Wellwisher

Sep 18, 2018 03:55pm

In UAE he will see cricket match

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Hwh

Sep 18, 2018 04:00pm

Why so many people in the trip? More people more money?

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Mansoor

Sep 18, 2018 04:00pm

India should have been first port of call in NAYA Pakistan. I feel we are still in Purana Pakistan.

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myl

Sep 18, 2018 04:07pm

@WARRIs Get lost!

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M. Saeed

Sep 18, 2018 04:11pm

Is this not a U-turn on his statement in first speech to nation that he would not visit any foreign country at least for the first 3 months?

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Sep 18, 2018 04:11pm

Being a sportsman and exposed to modern society his first foreign visit should have been to a democratic country . In fact he should have started with a visit to India, a vibrant and secular democracy , as future of Pakistan is largely tied with good relationship with India whether one likes it or not.

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Ahsan Gul

Sep 18, 2018 04:13pm

@Ali - again sounds like a PML-N’s supporter. Either provide your personal aircraft or any other means of transportation for them to visit KSA. Finally we have let us see a genuine government so far. Let PTI work.

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Iftikhar Husain

Sep 18, 2018 04:17pm

The talks should include the unity of Islamic countries.

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Vishal

Sep 18, 2018 04:18pm

Looks like no AGENDA !!

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Vishal

Sep 18, 2018 04:19pm

Where else can PM travel except countries like Saudi

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Aleem

Sep 18, 2018 04:26pm

@Hwh There are 4 people including PM in this trip. No cooks and maids are going though

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Pak Army

Sep 18, 2018 04:26pm

Saudi Arabia is the Muslim country so,we have become unite as Muslim nation and fight against terrorism.Prime minister imran Khan also discuss the issue of overseas Pakistani because they also still facing the problems as well.

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Aleem

Sep 18, 2018 04:27pm

@AK Indians should stop atrocities in Kashmir first before calling themselves a democratic country. I call such countries as pseudo democracies and india is the leader.

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M. Siddique

Sep 18, 2018 04:27pm

@Ali, Did the former PMs travel with their own money? I don't think so.

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M. Saeed

Sep 18, 2018 04:36pm

@Huma: Last time he went to see a match like this and give his expert advice during the match, we had lost.

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M.Mudassir Siddiqui

Sep 18, 2018 04:49pm

@Ali not like shariifs

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BAXAR

Sep 18, 2018 04:52pm

@AK "Being a sportsman and exposed to modern society his first foreign visit should have been to a democratic country ." Yes but he preferred to visit friendly countries instead.

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Simple Logic

Sep 18, 2018 05:03pm

@M. Saeed What's the obsession with foreign trips ? Some of these are critical for the country. It's very normal and required for international relations.

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Pakistani

Sep 18, 2018 05:04pm

@Ali Not enjoyment; going there on work.

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Pakistani

Sep 18, 2018 05:06pm

@AK Irrelevant point.

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Pakistani

Sep 18, 2018 05:06pm

@Philosopher (From Japan) Still in place and working correctly.

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Bobby Khan Canada

Sep 18, 2018 05:13pm

Hope he is not using a state plane for his travel instead using a commercial airliner. Let us know if his words matches his action.

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Lost cause

Sep 18, 2018 05:14pm

@Aleem All democracies pursue state craft to keep control over the nation otherwise the country will fall apart. You have that experience.

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Khalil

Sep 18, 2018 05:55pm

His trip is need of the hour! For those of you who are pointing fingers. Immature statements coming from immature pple.

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Sumit

Sep 18, 2018 06:03pm

@WARRIs Money speaks, rich countries will always influence the poorer countries.

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RIZ

Sep 18, 2018 06:08pm

I thought PM won't go to any foreign tour in first year as PM as it was said few times by Fawad Chaudhary but didn't know it was only for USA where he suppose to be addressing in UN. I hope he won't shy away and be up front to represent his country instead of keep sending Mr. Quershi for fill in.

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Haider

Sep 18, 2018 06:11pm

Shows you the difference. No one was invited by UAE in the last government and Indian PM paid two visits to UAE in last 2 - 3 years. IK being in office for hardly over a month and his first visit is KSA and UAE. For sure, he is going for economic bail-out which is much better than begging in front of UAE influenced IMF!!! For people criticising his visit, try to understand your country's financial situation. One should appreciate that instead of conventional tradition of taking loan from IMF on strict conditions. Government is resorting to other options. Secondly, Pakistan need trade to fill its trade deficit!! We need to get international buyers for our products.

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kks

Sep 18, 2018 06:14pm

Here goes savings from Govt car sales.

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Just Saying

Sep 18, 2018 06:46pm

The Chiefs must be attended.

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Hwh

Sep 18, 2018 08:10pm

@Mansoor This could have been. But unfortunately still the foreign policy is made somewhere else.

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Truth

Sep 18, 2018 08:48pm

@Wellwisher. I hope you are right.

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zullu

Sep 18, 2018 09:07pm

@Ali what does this even mean ??

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Zen

Sep 18, 2018 09:13pm

Strange non related comments tells education of people: the delegation size is small ; PK airforce aircraft ; non luxury; let’s see the outcome : economic; trade and financial investment and loan and aid if any : by Thursday we shall know!

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Ayaz

Sep 18, 2018 09:20pm

@kks Unbelievable!!

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Shahid

Sep 18, 2018 09:35pm

Isn't this against the protocol as the PM of Pakistan is received by the governor despite the King ??? How can one say this could be mutually balance talks if our PM in not received by the invited king ... Can someone justify this ???

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m ahmed

Sep 18, 2018 09:37pm

PM Saheb, ask Saudi King to grant citizenship to Pakistanies living there for years...

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Dreamer

Sep 18, 2018 09:59pm

@M. Saeed For your kind information , Imran Khan is the Prime Minister OF Nuclear Islamic Republic of Pakistan, He has the 200% right to use the Air Force ONe Pakistan and delegation, but did you notice , there is no cousin, son in law aunt uncle or relatives only the proudly elected officials. so Please stop your this narrative . It not going to work .

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Mohsin Malik

Sep 18, 2018 10:17pm

@Bobby Khan Canada Unfortunately you are wrong. Imran Khan went to Saudia Arabia on a special chartered flight. This plane is owned by the government of Pakistan and maintained by Pakistan Airforce. It is a Business Jet ( Learjet 75) that is known for luxury and comfort. Imran Khan has banned first class, but he and his cabinet are flying on a first class flight.

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saleemullah

Sep 18, 2018 10:25pm

thanks u khan. hope ur visit will strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries. Saudi Arabia has always helped Pakistan. Long Live Pakistan Saudi Arabia friendship!

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Lahori kid

Sep 18, 2018 10:53pm

There is no democracy for the people when you are led by a royal family for centuries.

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Zak

Sep 18, 2018 11:00pm

@Ali IK and team invited by Saudi so they pay.

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Zak

Sep 18, 2018 11:06pm

@Hwh Dawood and Asad for business and money talk, Quershi and fawad for foreign relations and info. IK da Man, numero uno!

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SYED AZMAT

Sep 18, 2018 11:06pm

Pak PM received by Governor Medina. US President received by King with red carpet.

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Zak

Sep 18, 2018 11:07pm

People should stop critiszing each and every thing IK does. Give him 2 years then you can let lose

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Fifa

Sep 18, 2018 11:37pm

@M. Saeed I believe that desperate circumstances and important agendas have lead him to take this trip. I have total faith in him that he is doing this in the interest of the country. He’s not going there to perform Umrah on peoples taxes. Look at the length of this trip. Hardly 24 hours in KSA and UAE. So stop criticizing without rationalizing

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Sampur

Sep 18, 2018 11:59pm

Every country on earth should stay away from US, UK & Saudi. All three of them are responsible for millions of deaths in the last 100 years. And 3 of them betrayed Pakistan time after time... my 3 cents

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Aftab

Sep 19, 2018 12:05am

@Ali Is this the best comment you have for all of IK's efforts thus far?

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Aftab Ahmed

Sep 19, 2018 12:05am

Some sobs making snide remarks here, the man just got elected

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Raja Abbas

Sep 19, 2018 12:07am

@AK ..Not really.!!

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Khan

Sep 19, 2018 12:14am

@Ali i hope you seeeing the plane in the back groud saying Pakistan Air Force not PIA? He is not using a commercial plane to waste the tax payer money like your other favorates, he is using an airforce plane. WAKE UP my brother and do something productive.

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khurram

Sep 19, 2018 01:25am

@Ali Guess you didn't notice that he is invited by SA....But sure hope he doesn't start travelling on Pak.government expenses.

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Zak

Sep 19, 2018 03:24am

@Mansoor Until India behaves itself and resolves kashmir, no visit to it. Its off the Pakistan diplomatic radar. Unimportant.

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ZebKhan

Sep 19, 2018 04:54am

@Ali Why did you not complain when the Sharifs, Bhuttos and Zardaris were looting the country, What the hell do you want from new PM, give him a chance to try to make a difference instead of complaining..As leader he has to visit friendly countries to strengthen ties or do you want country completely isolated. The problems country now has would need a miracle to solve; at least he has come forward to try, can you do better job and make country better, stronger and safer? The PM of a country has to travel and meet foreign dignatories the same as they come to our country to meet us. We need friends and allies not enemies.

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ZebKhan

Sep 19, 2018 04:56am

@Hwh Do you expect PM to be expert on every subject that will be raised. PM is supported by team to help him address the various things that need to be discussed.

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Hope

Sep 19, 2018 05:19am

Using PAF plane should be acceptable to everyone. The Pakistani government head represents the whole nation and cannot/should not give the impression that we don’t respect ourselves and our elected officials!

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Hope

Sep 19, 2018 05:20am

@Wellwisher good for him! Wouldn’t you if you had the chance?

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anwarsher

Sep 19, 2018 06:19am

2 trips to SA in 3 months? What happened to the austerity drive?

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Adam khan

Sep 19, 2018 07:06am

To be honest I don’t get it when trump visited Saudi he was recived by king slaman and red carpet when a Muslim country leader visit them they don’t show them that much respect

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Muneer

Sep 19, 2018 08:20am

@Ali Families and people working in KSA have also voted for IK to solve Pakistan’s internal and external problems. Important point is that such visits should be meaningful.The duration and make up of the delegation indicates that.

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