A high-level Saudi Arabian delegation, led by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, is expected to arrive in Islamabad today at 6pm for a two-day visit aimed at boosting economic cooperation between the two nations.
There are reports the delegation may arrive in Pakistan tomorrow morning. Khalid bin Abdulaziz is also the former minister of energy and health and the former chairman of Aramco.
The delegation, which includes senior officials from various Saudi government departments as well as representatives from the private sector, will be welcomed by senior officials and federal ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Dr. Musadik Malik, and Jam Kamal.
Sources say that the Saudi delegation will hold key meetings with Pakistan's leadership, including the president and prime minister, during their stay. There will also be a meeting between the investment ministers of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The visit is expected to result in the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as the delegation includes representatives from companies dealing in construction, engineering, information technology, financial services, agriculture, food, and petroleum.
In addition, a business forum will be held in Islamabad, where Minister Al-Falih will address Pakistani business leaders and discuss opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. The Saudi minister will also hold talks with Pakistan's private sector leadership.
Immigration, customs exemption
To facilitate the delegation's arrival, the Interior Ministry has granted special protocol to the Saudi guests, including exemption from customs clearance and other formalities. The delegation will also have access to the State Lounge at Islamabad Airport, with immigration paperwork being waived upon their arrival and departure.
The immigration authorities have been instructed not to carry out any documentation on the arrival and departure of the delegation, as well as not to take their photos at the immigration desk upon arrival. The Foreign Ministry had applied for these exemptions to the Interior Ministry at the request of the Saudi embassy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced on Tuesday that Pakistan is set to sign agreements worth approximately $2 billion with a visiting Saudi delegation later this month.
The delegation, led by Saudi Minister for Investment Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, is scheduled to visit Pakistan from October 9 to 11, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which Pakistan will host from October 15-16.
The delegation is expected to include representatives from both government agencies and the private sector, highlighting the expansion of economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
