During the Saudi Crown Prince's visit, MoUs over $20 billion were signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Photo: APP ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman departed on Monday following a two-day successful trip to Pakistan. Prior to his departure, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a joint news conference with the Saudi prince. “I looked at my phone this morning and realized that if you [Mohemmad bin Salman] stood for elections in Pakistan you would get more votes than me,” Prime Minister Khan said on the prince’s statement that he was Pakistan’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia. The prime minister thanked the Saudi crown prince for announcing the release of Pakistani prisoners in the Kingdom. “This is the first time Pakistan, Saudi Relations are developing into other spheres,” the prime minister said, adding that the geostrategic importance of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would be an advantage and the combination of the two countries would work well in the future. “We want you to consider Pakistan your second home. Consider PM House your own house whenever you come to Pakistan.” Saudi Crown Prince Mohemmad bin Salman said his country believed in Pakistan’s future. "It feels home in Pakistan.... We believe in Pakistan's future, we believe that Pakistan has huge opportunities. In 2030, Pakistan will be next to two huge economies, China and India," he said. "Pakistan will definitely benefit from these neighbours, there's great leadership to put Pakistan in the right position and we can see that happening, because in 2018, Pakistani economy grew by 5 per cent. So we believe that Pakistan has huge potential and I believe it could be one of the 20 biggest economies in future." Prince Mohammed further said: "The leadership, the people of Pakistan and their allies come together, definitely, it can reach that one day. So because of that we believe in Pakistan because of the long relations, because of our brothers in Pakistan, we want to be part of that journey and we want to risk our money, to risk our efforts and start from day one. "So what we did today is the beginning and we hope in the close future we do more and more partnering with Pakistan in projects between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia," he added. Warm welcome The Saudi crown prince reached Pakistan on Sunday and was greeted by Prime Minister Imran Khan and high-ranking officials at the Nur Khan airbase. He was later presented with a guard of honour at the PM House. On the first day of his visit, the crown prince held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, while officials of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs). “Saudi Arabia always stood beside Pakistan in difficult times,” Prime Minister Khan said while addressing the MoU signing ceremony. The prime minister said that the two countries need to extend cooperation in tourism, petrochemicals, and other fields. “We are taking Pak-Saudi ties to its zenith,” said the PM, adding that in future the relations would reach new heights. The PM also requested the Saudi prince to ease the immigration process for Haj pilgrims from Pakistan and 3,000 Pakistanis in Saudi prisons should be released. The Saudi crown prince assured the prime minister of every form of cooperation in this regard. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said investment would prove to be fruitful for both Pakistan and the Kingdom. “Pakistani leadership is impressive and the country’s future seems quite bright,” said the crown prince. “After becoming a crown prince, this is my first visit to Asia, and Pakistan is the first country I am visiting,” said Mohammed Bin Salman. Prince Salman said that Pakistan is a very important country for Saudi Arabia and he was very pleased to visit the country. He said that the kingdom will invest further in the country. MoUs singed During the visit, a high-profile delegation from Saudi Arabia signed seven MoUs and investment agreements with Pakistan, worth over $20 billion, to boost bilateral ties. Short-term (one to two years) Saudi Arabia to invest in RLNG plants amounting to $4 billion ACWA Power to invest in renewable energy amounting to $2 billion Saudi Fund for Pakistan to make investment of $1 billion Mid-Term (two to three years) Petrol chemical projects amounting to $1 billion Food and agriculture projects investment to be $1 bln Long term investment (three to five years) Aramco oil refinery to make investment of $10 billion Mineral Development Sector $2 billion Saudi Arab to invest amounting to $21 bln in one to five years Release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners ordered On Monday, the Saudi crown prince ordered the release of 2,107 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia. "HRH Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman has graciously agreed to free 2,107 Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia with immediate effect," Foreign Minister Qureshi tweeted. "Cases of the remaining will be reviewed. People of Pakistan thank HRH for responding immediately to Prime Minister Imran Khan's request," the foreign minister added. Highest civilian order The Saudi crown prince was conferred with the country’s highest civil award Nishan-e-Pakistan during a ceremony at the President House on Monday. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the heads of the three armed forces. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and members of the federal cabinet were also present at the ceremony. The crown prince, commonly known as MbS, was given a special protocol as he went from the President House to the PM House on a horse carriage accompanied by Prime Minister Imran Khan. President Alvi received MbS upon arrival the President House. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry were also present when the Saudi crown prince and the prime minister arrived at the President House. A meeting was held between President Alvi and the Saudi crown prince after which a ceremony was held in his honour and he was conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan. Addressing the luncheon ceremony, President Alvi said, "It is a privilege for me to host this banquet." "Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been partners for centuries. Despite the geographical distance between us, we are very close in our hearts," the president added. He further said, "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have similar directions for peace in the region and elimination of corruption." "The recent visit of the prime minister and your visit cements the friendship between us," he continued. "It is a golden era for Pakistan as it is open for investment," the president upheld. The Saudi crown prince also addressed the ceremony and said, "I thank you for honouring me with Pakistan's highest award." "The brotherly relationship between the Kingdom and Pakistan is a model that should be followed by other nations," Mohammad bin Salman said. Saudi crown prince meets COAS Prior to the ceremony at the President House, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman met with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry tweeted about the meeting and said, "During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of defence." According to sources, regional security focusing on the Middle East was discussed during the meeting. Pakistan’s initiatives on the ongoing peace talks between the United States and Taliban were also discussed, the sources added.<doc-sep>Amid heightened security, Pakistan on Sunday received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, whose maiden trip to Islamabad was delayed by a day for unknown reasons. A formation of JF-17 thunder jets & F-16 fighter jets escorted his plane after its entry into the Pakistani airspace. The crown prince was given a 21-gun salute upon arrival. ISLAMABAD: Amid heightened security, cash-strapped Pakistan on Sunday received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, whose maiden trip to Islamabad was delayed by a day for unknown reasons. Unease ran in the government circles in Islamabad that the Saudi prince might call off the trip due to security reasons after building up of tensions between Pakistan and India following a terror attack on soldiers in Kashmir on Thursday, according to officials privy to the developments. But there was a sigh of relief when the Foreign Office announced on Friday night that the de-facto ruler of the Gulf Kingdom will arrive on Sunday. A formation of JF-17 thunder jets and F-16 fighter jets escorted the plane of the Saudi royal after its entry into the Pakistani airspace. The crown prince was given a 21-gun salute upon arrival. As Muhammad bin Salman, colloquially known as MBS, stepped down from the aircraft after landing at the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, he was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The premier's cabinet members and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa were also present at the air base to receive the Saudi guest. In a break from protocol, the Pakistani premier personally drove the crown prince to PM House, where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir landed at the air base ahead of the crown prince's arrival in a separate airplane. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was present on the tarmac to welcome his Saudi counterpart. The crown prince was due to reach Pakistan on Saturday, but his arrival was delayed for a day. No reason was given for the rescheduling of the planned arrival of the prince. However, the duration of two-day was not curtailed, nor the meetings and investment plans. Saudi Arabia on Friday said it stood with India's fight against terrorism and extremism and denounced as "cowardly" the attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers. According to official media, the crown prince is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including members of Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen. This is his first official visit to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of crown prince in April 2017. During his visit, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will sign a number of agreements and MoUs in diverse sectors. According to Advisor to PM on Trade, Razzak Dawood, agreements worth between USD 10-15 billion will be signed, including one about Saudi investment to build an oil refinery. The refinery once ready will help to save about USD 1.25 billion in imports bills. The two sides will also set up an advisory council led by the crown prince and the prime minister of Pakistan to follow up the agreement singed so that they are implemented on time. Special arrangements were made in Islamabad to accord a warm welcome to the prince and his entourage on their arrival. Big portraits of MBS, King Salman, Prime Minister Khan and President Alvi have been erected on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad. Banners and posters inscribed with slogans of Pak-Saudi friendship and fraternity have also been put on display along the roads. A big portrait of the crown prince, 120 feet tall and 45 feet wide, was also installed on the parliament building. Elaborate security arrangement were made and the routes leading to Red Zone where all important government offices and diplomatic missions were located was sealed for common public. A four-tier security arrangements have been made for the prince. The outer most tier will be manned by police, the second by paramilitary Ranger, the third by the army and the fourth and inner most by the royal guards of the prince. The prince will also use about 130 royal guards. A 235-member delegation of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), led by Pakistan's former army chief General Raheel Sharif , is in the capital to ensure foolproof security. A holiday was declare for Monday to avoid tension for workers and students as more than 1,000 security check points were set up in the city and at entry places.<doc-sep>. . ISLAMABAD: Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman reached Islamabad on a two-day official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. After receiving a warm welcome, the Saudi crown prince arrived at PM House and was presented a guard of honour Saudi crown prince being presented guard of honour/ Geo News screen grab At the PM House, Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries in diverse sectors. The ceremony was witnessed by the crown prince and PM Imran. The Saudi crown prince and PM Imran held one-on-one meeting, while the officials of the two countries signed the MoUs. Saudi Arabia always stood beside Pakistan in difficult times: PM PM Imran, while addressing the MoU-signing ceremony, said that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan always enjoyed brotherly relations. “Saudi Arabia always stood beside Pakistan in difficult times.” The prime minister said that the two countries need to extend cooperation in tourism, petrochemicals, and other fields. “We are taking Pak-Saudi ties to its zenith,” said the PM, adding that in future the relations would reach new heights. The PM also requested the Saudi prince to ease immigration process for Haj pilgrims from Pakistan and 3,000 Pakistanis in Saudi prisons should be released. The Saudi crown prince assured the prime minister of every form of cooperation in this regard. Earlier, Prime Minister Imran, along with his Cabinet members, arrived at Nur Khan airbase and received the Saudi crown prince. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa also reached the air base to extend warm welcome. PM and COAS wait to welcome the Saudi crown prince/ Geo News screen grab Upon arrival, a historic welcome was given to the Saudi crown prince, widely known as "MbS", who is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including members of Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businesspersons. PM drives car to take Prince Salman to PM House Taking a departure from the norm, PM Imran himself drove the car to the PM House. PM Imran driving car himself, while Saudi crown prince is seated next to him/ Geo News screen grab When Saudi crown prince’s plane reached Pakistani air space, Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder and F-16 jets took the plane into its protective circle. Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi along with other officials reached the airbase to receive his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir. FM Qureshi receives Saudi counterpart/ photo: PTI official Twitter Sources said that a 19-member, high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia reached Islamabad earlier today amid tight security. This is the first official visit of the dignitary to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of Crown Prince in April 2017. During his visit, Mohammad bin Salman will meet President Dr Arif Alvi, and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Saudi Arabia is to sign a record investment package with Pakistan, including a $10 billion refinery and oil complex for the strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. The two countries will also discuss ways and means to develop a robust follow-up mechanism to ensure effective implementation and quick progress on tangible areas of cooperation. A red-carpet welcome Pakistan rescheduled flights, blocking-off luxury hotels, and — according to one report Friday — collecting 3,500 pigeons and colourful balloons to release during a welcome ceremony for Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince had originally been due to arrive on Saturday but the Pakistan foreign ministry released a statement late Friday saying the visit had been delayed by one day, with the programme unchanged. Banners heralding the crown prince were already lining the streets of the capital, while a local newspaper reported that the authorities were trying to catch so many pigeons for a welcome ceremony that they were forced to collect birds from other cities. Police, the armed forces, and the Saudi Royal Guards will provide security, a senior Islamabad police official told AFP. The capital's "red zone", which houses Parliament House and the Presidency, was to be sealed off, while civil aviation authorities have been told to reschedule flights during the prince's arrival and departure. Authorities in the capital said two five-star hotels had been ordered to cancel all advance bookings as the rooms will be reserved for the prince's entourage. A public holiday has been declared in Islamabad today in view of the occasion. After Pakistan, MbS will travel to India, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He is expected to finish the trip with a visit to China on Thursday and Friday. Two short stops initially scheduled for Sunday and Monday in Indonesia and Malaysia were postponed on Saturday without explanation. The Asia trip comes five months after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a fierce critic of MbS, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul ignited a diplomatic crisis. Riyadh initially denied the murder, then gave several conflicting accounts of Khashoggi´s death, and now claims he was killed in an unauthorised operation. Turkey said Friday it has not yet revealed all the information it has uncovered in the extraordinary case, which launched a global wave of revulsion and has profoundly tarnished the image of the kingdom, especially that of the crown prince. But for analysts, the Asia tour -- the largest outing on the international scene for the crown prince since his participation in the G20 summit in Argentina last December -- is a timely demonstration to the West that he still has friends in rising Asia. Prime Minister Imran Khan has already visited Saudi Arabia twice since coming to power last summer. The crown prince´s visit to Islamabad will also apparently coincide with possible new talks between the Taliban and the United States on Afghanistan.<doc-sep>
Amid heightened security and arrangements in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman arrived at Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi on Sunday. As he stepped down from the aircraft, the 33-year-old crown prince was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The premier's cabinet members and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa were also present at the air base to receive the Saudi guest. PM Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa await to receive MBS. — DawnNewsTV A formation of JF-17 thunder jets and F-16 fighter jets had escorted the plane of the Saudi royal after its entry into the Pakistani airspace. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ─ known as MBS for short — was given a 21-gun salute upon arrival. Read: Everything you need to know about the Saudi crown prince's visit In a break from protocol, Prime Minister Khan personally drove the Saudi crown prince to PM House, where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour. MBS is given a guard of honour at PM House. — DawnNewsTV The crown prince, who is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Khan, was accorded a red carpet welcome and presented a guard of honour at the PM House. The prime minister and MBS introduced members of their respective delegations, following which the crown prince planted a sapling. At a ceremony in the PM House, Pakistan and Saudi officials signed MoUs for bilateral cooperation in a number of areas — a process overseen by Prime Minister Khan and MBS. This is Prince Mohammad's first state visit to Pakistan since becoming the heir to the throne in 2017. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry welcomed Prince Mohammad on Twitter, saying the crown prince was coming to join his "family and [his] own country". Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa shakes hands with the Saudi crown prince. — Photo courtesy: ISPR Preparations for a grand welcome Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir landed at Nur Khan Air Base ahead of the crown prince's arrival in a separate airplane. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood was present on the tarmac to welcome his Saudi counterpart. The twin cities have been decked out in images of the Saudi royal family and banners welcoming the crown prince. Banners welcoming the Saudi crown prince have been put up all over the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. ─ DawnNewsTV A high-powered delegation comprising key ministers and some prominent businessmen, besides members of the royal family, has also arrived with the crown prince for his two-day visit. The crown prince was due to reach Pakistan on February 16, but his arrival was delayed by a day for unknown reasons. Islamabad has described the visit as a "historical one" which will help stabilise the crippling economy of the country as over $21 billion Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are likely to be inked between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during the visit. Explore: An overview of Pak-Saudi relations About an hour ahead of the crown prince's arrival, Finance Minister Asad Umar tweeted that he had held a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih and his team. During the meeting, a wide range of investment projects worth billions of dollars were discussed, the minister had revealed, adding that MoUs in this regard would be signed later in the day. Two receptions will be held in the Presidency and Prime Minister House in honour of the crown prince during which one-on-one meetings between him and President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Khan will take place. The crown prince will also meet Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. MBS' plane is seen upon landing at Nur Khan Air Base. — DawnNewsTV Not only the government but the opposition has also hailed the visit of the crown prince as PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari have welcomed the Saudi royal in their statements. However, opposition parties have lashed out at the federal government for not inviting their leaders to the official reception to be hosted in honour of MBS and termed it an undemocratic and un-parliamentary step. According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan's highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, will be conferred on the crown prince in an investiture ceremony at the presidency on Monday. After Pakistan, MBS will travel to India, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.