Fri 29 April 2022:
Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, is visiting Saudi Araba this week in a bid to strengthen ties with the Kingdom and possibly gain more financial support, in what is his first foreign trip since assuming office earlier this month.
Landing in the Islamic holy city of Madinah yesterday, where he and his delegation were welcomed by regional officials, Sharif stated on Twitter that “Today I am embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia to renew & reaffirm our bonds of brotherhood and friendship”. He added that the Kingdom “has a special place in all our hearts”.
“Chor! Chor!”: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation were bombarded by chants of “thieves” and “beggars” hurled at them by some “frustrated” Pakistanis as they arrived in Madina.
For more, visit: https://t.co/EzdbYGuTya #etribune #news #shehbazsharif #madina pic.twitter.com/TvYQS6MGtZ
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) April 28, 2022
The itinerary of the Prime Minister’s visit was not revealed, but he was expected to pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city, and a statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry clarified that the visit will last until Saturday. According to the statement, talks between officials and the leadership of both countries are expected to focus “on advancing economic, trade and investment ties and creation of greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia”.
There are also predictions that Islamabad may seek financial aid from Riyadh by requesting additional deposits in Pakistan’s Central Bank due to the intense pressure on its external account. Trips by Pakistani premiers to the Kingdom – always the first destination as a priority – have often resulted in such financial agreements.
Upon his landing in Madinah and his passing through the Prophet’s Mosque, however, Sharif and his delegation were heckled and bombarded with chants of “thieves” and “beggars” by crowds of Pakistanis who oppose his premiership and his ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was forced to step down after a no-confidence vote earlier this month.
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