Indo-Pak issues can be solved only through dialogue: MBS

Saudi Gazette report

Islamabad — Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have decided to establish a Joint Supreme Coordination Council to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields and take them to a higher level.

A joint communiqué issued at the end of the visit to Pakistan by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, said the Council will be co-chaired by the Crown Prince and the Pakistan Prime Minister.

It will hold its meetings in the two countries alternately.

The two sides agreed to make use of all available channels to promote bilateral trade, investment and promote communication between the two peoples and businessmen.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen measures to promote trade, participate in exhibitions and events, welcome business meetings from both countries, and encourage the private sector to take the lead in building a strong economic partnership between the two brotherly countries.

During the official talks in Islamabad, the Crown Prince praised the openness and efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan for dialogue with India and the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor.

He stressed that dialogue is the only way to ensure peace and stability in the region and to solve outstanding issues.

The Crown Prince reiterated his faith in Pakistan’s leadership and the country’s huge potential.

“There is great leadership here to put Pakistan in the right position. We can see it happening.

“We saw the Pakistani economy grow by 5 percent in 2018 so we believe that Pakistan has huge potential, it could be one of top 20 economies in the future, easily. If the efforts of the leadership, the people of Pakistan, and their allies come together, definitely it can reach that one day,” the Crown Prince said.

Earlier, President Arif Alvi conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award — Nishan-e-Pakistan — on the Crown Prince for his “outstanding support for reinvigorating Pak-Saudi bilateral relationship.”

Crown Prince Muhammad and Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived at the President House in Islamabad in a horse-drawn carriage.

The two leaders were escorted by the presidential guard on their way from the PM House to the President House.

President Alvi said during his speech, “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been indispensable partners for a very long time. We have been together for centuries. Our friendship is bound in religion and culture.”

“Even though there is geographical distance between us but we are very close in our hearts. The recent visit of the prime minister and your visit has cemented the friendship between us,” he added.

The president congratulated the Crown Prince on his modernization efforts as well as measures taken to highlight Saudi Arabia’s previously hidden tourism sites.

Following the president’s speech, the Crown Prince addressed the audience.

“The brotherly relationship between the Kingdom and Pakistan focus on the principle of Islamic solidarity. It is a model to be emulated by other nations. Our countries go back 67 years that witnessed continuous development that rendered itself beneficial for both countries.

“The founding fathers for both countries established these relations on the principles of truthfulness, common understanding and mutual respect that go back to the first days of the establishment of Pakistan, post-World War II.

“Our Pakistani brothers participated truthfully and effectively in the great development project that Saudi Arabia witnessed, especially the expansion project of Masjid-e-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabwi. More than 2 million Pakistanis are working in Saudi Arabia and are contributing to the development of both the countries.”