JEDDAH: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reached Jeddah on two
days official visit during which he would hold talks with Saudi King
Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and members of cabinet on enhancing
relations between the two countries, bilateral issues and regional
affairs.
A brief entourage comprising Commerce Minister
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Senior Minister for Industries Chaudhry Pervaiz
Elahi, Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar and
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir would also flank with Prime Minister
during the tour.
The visit of Prime Minister comes on the
backdrop of President Zardari’s last month visit to Saudi Arabia to
ease the tension between Riyadh and Tehran. But in contrast to
Zardari’s visit, which had a regional focus, officials said the prime
minister would be discussing ways to strengthen relations between
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
During his tour, Prime Minister
would discuss the issues with the Saudi leadership including oil
facility, enhancing bilateral trade ties and matters pertaining to
Pakistanis living there.
An official said it had been long
scheduled and the dates had been fixed even before President Zardari’s
trip. There has been a series of exchanges between Riyadh and Islamabad
this year indicating sincerity in their bilateral ties. The two
countries have not been enjoying the traditional warmth in their
relationship since the PPP came to power in 2008.
However, the
situation changed after the uprising in the Arab world when Pakistan,
in more than one way, indicated its support for the status quo in Arab
states of the region. Online
