RIYADH, May 24: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali held an hour-long meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz here on Monday evening. After an initial round of talks also attended by their aides, the two leaders met exclusively for half an hour.

According to Pakistani sources, the focus of the talks was promotion of economic ties. Both sides stressed the need to translate their excellent political ties into stronger economic relationship. It was agreed that the Saudi minister of commerce would soon visit Pakistan.

The sources said that there was convergence of views on most of the important issues discussed. The situation in Iraq and Palestine and Indo-Pakistan relations, the sources said, also came under discussion.

Some sources had earlier said that the issue of the Nawaz Sharif family and especially Shahbaz Sharif's deportation to the kingdom would also be discussed. However, sources close with Pakistani delegation described it as 'purely speculative' and without any basis.