By Sadaf Sundas Riaz
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit Saudi Arabia within the next 48 hours following an invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to reports.
The visit comes immediately after high-level talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad — marking the first direct engagement between the two sides in more than a decade and the most significant discussions since the Iranian Revolution.
During his visit to Riyadh, PM Shehbaz is expected to hold crucial consultations on evolving regional and global developments, highlighting Pakistan’s continued diplomatic role in easing tensions in the Middle East.
Despite nearly 21 hours of intense negotiations, no formal agreement was reached. The talks followed a fragile ceasefire aimed at ending six weeks of conflict that has caused significant casualties, disrupted global energy supplies, and raised fears of a wider regional war.
Following the discussions, the United States signalled a tougher stance, announcing plans to impose a maritime blockade on Iranian ports — a move that could further strain the already delicate ceasefire.
Meanwhile, economic cooperation is also expected to be a key focus of the visit, especially after Riyadh and Doha pledged $5 billion in financial support for Pakistan.
The prime minister will be accompanied by senior officials, including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is also expected to join the delegation, subject to the completion of his ongoing visit to the United States.
In parallel, Pakistan has strengthened security cooperation with Saudi Arabia by deploying fighter jets and military support under a mutual defence pact signed in September 2025, reinforcing a long-standing strategic alliance between the two nations.