The gesture not only highlighted Riyadh’s growing clout in regional affairs but also underscored Islamabad’s desire for peace through dialogue.
Held in the sacred city of Makkah al-Mukarramah, the high-level discussion between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz spotlighted Pakistan’s policy of ‘responsible restraint’ amid Indian hostility. Shehbaz Sharif stressed that long-term peace in South Asia can only be achieved through meaningful negotiations, not confrontation.
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The meeting reaffirmed the time-tested strategic and fraternal bond between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — one that continues to evolve in light of shifting regional dynamics.
On behalf of Pakistan’s government and people, the Prime Minister extended heartfelt Eid greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and lauded the Kingdom’s remarkable hospitality and spiritual stewardship for the millions of Hajj pilgrims.
Beyond bilateral ties, the two leaders took a unified stand on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Both strongly urged the international community to rise to its moral and legal responsibilities. They renewed their joint call for a just, lasting solution to the Palestinian conflict, grounded in the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Significantly, both nations agreed to further strengthen their strategic alliance in alignment with the shared aspirations of their citizens and the vision of their leadership — signaling a new chapter in Pakistan-Saudi relations that may carry deeper regional implications than previously expected.
This meeting was more than a routine diplomatic gesture — it was a signal to both allies and adversaries. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in Indo-Pak affairs reveals its growing role as a power broker in South Asia, while Pakistan’s restraint signals a shift toward diplomacy over escalation. Meanwhile, the unified stance on Gaza shows that both nations are positioning themselves as voices of moral authority in the Muslim world. The promise to elevate ties hints at expanded economic, defense, and strategic cooperation in the near future.
