ISLAMABAD: Welcoming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to invest in Pakistan, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday highlighted ample opportunities for foreign investment in the country describing the current economic policies conducive for investment.

The speaker made these remarks during a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy who called on him at Parliament House.

A statement issued here said that the speaker of the National Assembly, while commenting on the rich history of mutual cooperation, highlighted that the two brotherly countries had always supported each other in difficult times.

He said Saudi Arabia’s support for the economic development of Pakistan was commendable and thanked the Saudi government for providing facilities and support to the Pakistani diaspora living in Saudi Arabia.

Referring to parliament-to-parliament relations, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasised that parliamentary diplomacy was of utmost importance to strengthen bilateral relations.

Exchanges of parliamentary delegations and coordination among parliamentary friendship groups would help bring the two nations closer.

During the meeting, he also mentioned the invitation extended to the chairman of Majlis-i-Shura of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to visit Pakistan.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq stated that Pakistan attached importance to its long-standing brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia.

“Pak-Saudi relations are bound by unbreakable bond of religion, culture, history, and mutual trust and respect. The continuous upward trajectory of our bilateral ties is extremely heartening, and we are committed to taking this mutually beneficial partnership to new heights by expanding cooperation in all fields of mutual interest,”

According to the statement, the speaker highlighted that the people of Pakistan held respect and affinity for Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the people of the Kingdom.

“Both brotherly countries share the unanimity of views on important global and regional issues,” he added.

The Saudi Ambassador expressed gratitude for the Speaker of the National Assembly for his gracious remarks on Pak-Saudi ties , expressing best wishes for the custodians of the Holy Haram and the desire to expand bilateral relations.

The ambassador reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia attached great importance to its brotherly relations with Pakistan, and both the people and government of Saudi Arabia would continue to lend support for the sustainable development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2024