ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary delegation of the Saudi Shura Council arrived in Pakistan to strengthen parliamentary ties and strategic cooperation between the two countries, a statement issued here said.

Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had invited the Saudi parliamentary delegation led by retired Major General Dr Abdulrahman bin Sanhat bin Abdullah Al-Harbi, the statement said.

The delegation includes members of the Saudi Shura Council Dr Iman bint Abdulaziz Al-Jabreen and Engineer Salem bin Ali Al-Shahrani.

They held separate meetings with members of the National Assembly and Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, during which various strategies were discussed to cement ties and strengthen cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

As part of the visit, a meeting between the Executive Committee of the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) and the Saudi–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Committee was held at Parliament House.

On behalf of the Saudi Shura Council, retired Major General Dr Abdulrahman Al-Harbi reaffirmed the significance of operationalising the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which comprises eight mutually agreed clauses.

He proposed holding the next bilateral meeting in Riyadh, along with an introductory workshop to deepen understanding of parliamentary structures on both sides. He acknowledged the integration of Parliamentary Studies into academic courses and noted Saudi Arabia’s interest in learning from Pakistan’s experience.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and Convener of the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia PFG, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, represented the Pakistani side. Other members of the group included MNAs Syed Hafeezuddin, Shagufta Jumani, Muhammad Khan Daha, Shahida Begum and Mujahid Ali.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf emphasised the “deep-rooted, fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, anchored in shared faith, mutual respect, and enduring trust.”

He further highlighted Saudi Arabia’s vital role in promoting peace and reconciliation in the region, describing the Kingdom as a “beacon of diplomacy and dialogue” amid global complexities.

Highlighting investment cooperation, he pointed to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a dedicated platform for streamlining foreign investments and accelerating project implementation. During the meeting, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf proposed several initiatives to institutionalise inter-parliamentary collaboration, including the regular structured dialogue and joint forums between the two Friendship Groups; youth and women parliamentarian exchange programmes; enhanced cultural, academic, and religious cooperationz closer B2B investment linkages, including acceleration of the Pakistan–GCC FTA; and utilisation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the SIFC for Saudi investments.

Both sides agreed to activate the 2019 MoU through targeted engagements and practical mechanisms.

They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation, advancing shared values, and promoting comprehensive bilateral ties across political, economic, cultural, and strategic domains.

The Saudi delegation also held a meeting with Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.

The leader of the Saudi delegation said that Pakistan is an important country in the region and emphasised that both sides attach great importance to bilateral ties and multifaceted cooperation.

The Senate chairman stated that Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations were not transactional but deeply rooted in shared faith, history and commonalities.

He emphasised the need to institutionalise regular dialogue between the Senate of Pakistan and the Shura Council through frequent high-level exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

He also praised the Kingdom for continuously improving the Hajj and Umrah experience for Pakistanis.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025