ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Sunday said that visa relaxation announced by the government for Saudi businessmen would boost economic activities in Pakistan.

Talking to journalists shortly before the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Pakistan, the minister said a high-powered Supreme Coordination Council (SCC) had been established to boost political, diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries. The first meeting of the SCC would be held during the Saudi crown prince’s stay in the country, he added.

“Brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will enter a new era, with unprecedented Saudi investment and signing of memoranda of understanding,” he said, adding the Saudi government had already reduced visa fee for Pakistanis.

Mr Qureshi claimed that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remained “frosty” during the last Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, but these had been restored by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan paid two consecutive visits to Saudi Arabia that created a new era in bilateral relations,” he added.

Finance Minister Asad Umar, Power Minister Umar Ayub and PM’s Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood also expressed the hope that the Saudi crown prince’s visit would help stable Pakistan’s economy.

Earlier, a delegation of Saudi investors, led by Mohammad A. Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power International, was received at the Board of Investment (BoI), followed by a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Umar.

The power minister, PM’s adviser on commerce, BoI Chairman Haroon Sharif, secretary and additional secretary of the board were present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2019