- Gates of Ka’aba opened for PM and his delegation, including Deputy PM, Interior Minister and Information Minister
- Two-day visit is focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas between Pakistan and KSA
MAKKAH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently on a two-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, performed Umrah on the night of Thursday and Friday along with Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, offering prayers for the country’s success in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, according to state media on Friday.
The premier was accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, who also performed the Umrah.
The delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a visit from June 5 to 6 at the invitation of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف {@CMShehbaz }اور آرمی چیف فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر کا وفد کے ہمراہ ولیِ عہد شہزادہ محمد بن سلمان کی خصوصی دعوت پر دورہء سعودی عرب
گذشتہ شب عمرہ کی سعادت، خانہ کعبہ کا دروازہ خصوصی طور پر کھولا گیا، نوافل کی ادائیگی، بنیان مرصوص کی فتح پر اللہ تعالیٰ… pic.twitter.com/DwxYxCPnKE
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 6, 2025
The gates of the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, were specially opened for the delegation, where they offered prayers for the prosperity of Pakistan and the Muslim community worldwide, particularly the Muslims in Gaza and Indian-occupied Kashmir. They also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s success against last month’s Indian aggression and recent economic growth.
The visit is focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas between both nations. PM Shehbaz is also expected to thank the Saudi leadership for its constructive role in de-escalating the recent Pakistan-India conflict.
“This visit underscores the deep-rooted, time-tested ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, anchored in shared faith, mutual respect, and strategic partnership,” the FO said.
“It reaffirms the leadership’s commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic engagement, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s development priorities,” the statement further added.
Prime Minister Sharif’s visit is expected to further solidify Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and open new avenues for multifaceted collaboration.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Jeddah on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, from where the premier, along with the Pakistani delegation, left for Makkah to perform Umrah.
Earlier, upon arrival in Jeddah, he was received by the Governor of Jeddah, Saud bin Abdullah Jalawi, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki; the Pakistani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials.
The premier is also expected to express gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their role in de-escalating recent tensions between Pakistan and India.
Last month, following the worst military confrontation between India and Pakistan in decades, Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf nations, played a key role in mediating between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, bringing both countries back from the brink of a potential nuclear war.
The visit also comes amid deepening economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In recent months, the two countries have signed multiple agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. Notably, Saudi Arabia has committed to a $5 billion investment package to support Pakistan’s economy, which has been grappling with a balance of payments crisis.
