PM lands in Saudi Arabia as Middle East conflict shows ‘no sign of cessation’

• Premier Shehbaz schedules to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for strategic talks in Jeddah

• Discussions to focus on regional security, bilateral relations, and early cessation of hostilities

• FO stresses Pakistan’s call for respect of sovereignty, adherence to UN Charter and resumption of dialogue

• PM’s Spokesperson Zaidi: Pakistan will support Saudi Arabia 'before it is needed' while preventing escalation

• Visit highlights Pakistan’s active diplomatic role amid ongoing Gulf hostilities

 JEDDAH/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in Saudi Arabia on a brief official visit at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East showed no signs of immediate de-escalation, state media reported.

According to a post on its X account, state-broadcaster PTV News said, “Premier Shehbaz was received at the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, Consul General in Jeddah Syed Mustafa Rabani, and other diplomatic staff were also present.”

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سعودی عرب کے ولی عہد و وزیر اعظم عزت مآب شہزادہ محمد بن سلمان آل سعود کی دعوت پر سعودی عرب کے سرکاری دورے پر پہنچ گئے

وزیراعظم سعودی عرب میں چند گھنٹے قیام کریں گے اور سعودی عرب کے ولی عہد و وزیراعظم عزت مآب شہزادہ محمد بن سلمان آل سعود سے ملاقات کے بعد… pic.twitter.com/nziooUN5EO

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 12, 2026

PTV News reported that the visit, lasting only a few hours, would include a meeting between PM Shehbaz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “In the meeting, there will be detailed discussions on the current regional situation, state of security, and bilateral relations,” the state broadcaster said, emphasizing that the visit reflects Pakistan’s positive diplomatic role, which Islamabad intends to continue.

Jeddah: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is being received by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mashaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah region ,at the royal terminal of Jeddah International airport (Thursday, 12 March, 2026).@CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/z3nOqp3LIu

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 12, 2026

The visit comes amid heightened hostilities in the Middle East, where Gulf countries — including Saudi Arabia — have faced attacks from Iran, which Tehran says target US and Israeli sites in retaliation for large-scale strikes carried out by the latter.

Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the premier would exchange views with the Saudi crown prince on ongoing regional tensions, security, and bilateral cooperation, reaffirming that Pakistan will continue playing a constructive diplomatic role.

‘Visit part of broader effort for cessation of hostilities’

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said PM Shehbaz’s visit should be seen in the context of Pakistan’s efforts to advocate for an early cessation of hostilities and pave the way for dialogue and diplomacy.

He noted that Pakistan has consistently urged three key principles to its interlocutors during the conflict, including “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and refraining from the use of force within sovereign territory; Upholding international law and UN Charter principles and resuming dialogue and engagement to pursue a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis.”

Just a day earlier, PM’s Spokesperson for Foreign Media Mosharraf Zaidi said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia “before it is needed.”

On March 7, a week after US-Israeli strikes on Iran escalated the conflict, Chief of Defence Forces and COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia to meet Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud. They discussed the gravity of the security situation arising from Iranian missile and drone attacks on the Kingdom and explored joint measures under the framework of the “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” signed last year.

Days earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar revealed that Pakistan’s diplomatic interventions had helped deter heavier Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia.

‘Don’t like our friends getting into quarrels’

In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the premier’s spokesperson was asked whether Pakistan would come to Saudi Arabia’s aid militarily or otherwise.

In my conversation with Haslinda Amin for @BloombergTV, I had the opportunity to explain the nature of the Pakistan - Saudi Arabia relationship and why speculation about what our Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement entails is unnecessary. Even prior to the SMDA, alhamdolillah both… pic.twitter.com/EAOdGir4Hm

— Mosharraf Zaidi 🇵🇰 (@mosharrafzaidi) March 12, 2026

Zaidi said, “The question is not whether Pakistan might come to Saudi Arabia’s aid. Both countries, even before the strategic mutual defence agreement, have operated on a principle of being there for the other before they need the other. So, there is no question — we will. No matter what, no matter when.”

As the Iran conflict escalates, Pakistan’s longstanding defense pact with Saudi Arabia is under renewed scrutiny. On Insight with @haslindatv, Mosharraf Zaidi, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Spokesperson for Foreign Media, stresses that Pakistan’s support for Riyadh is… pic.twitter.com/zflwFS7h9t

— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) March 11, 2026

He emphasized that Pakistan is striving to prevent escalation that could embroil close partners in conflicts undermining regional stability and prosperity. On engagements with Iran, Zaidi said Islamabad is “very conscious of its responsibility as a close ally and friend” to all parties involved. “We don’t like our friends getting into quarrels, and we certainly don’t like innocent people dying needlessly,” he added.

Asked about military aid to Saudi Arabia, Zaidi described it as “speculative and irresponsible” to comment, reiterating, “Whatever is needed from Pakistan vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will be there before it is needed, and similarly for Saudi Arabia.”