RIYADH, 5 September 2004 — Shaukat Aziz, the newly-elected Pakistani prime minister, is to begin a three-day official visit to the Kingdom from tomorrow, according to diplomatic sources. This will be the first overseas visit of Aziz since he was sworn in premier on Aug. 28.
Aziz will hold wide-ranging talks with senior Saudi officials, said the sources. “The talks will focus on international, regional and bilateral issues on which the two countries share similar views and perceptions,” said a report published in the Monday edition of Pakistan’s Daily Times newspaper.
The local diplomatic sources could not provide details about Aziz’s visit. Pakistani Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza, who is currently in Pakistan, could neither confirm nor deny the report. But, other diplomats contacted by Arab News, said that “we know about the visit, but we don’t have more details like the size of the delegation and the itinerary.” In Riyadh, Aziz is expected to address the Pakistani community.
Aziz, a former Citibank executive credited with turning around the economic fortunes of Pakistan in his previous roles, will perform Umrah and will also visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Aziz’s visit to Saudi Arabia has added significance because he seeks greater Riyadh-Islamabad cooperation in all sectors. He also seeks more participation of Saudi and Gulf countries in boosting the economy of Pakistan for mutual benefit and solidarity within the framework of mandate of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Pakistan is one of the important allies of the Kingdom especially in defense and economy. Islamabad has already won an order to deliver 20 Super Mashak aircraft to Saudi Arabia, which are best two-seater light machines for aerial surveillance. A contract for the sale of these aircraft to the Kingdom was signed recently, but whether the delivery of the aircraft will be made according to a staggered schedule or at one time in a fleet is still unclear.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has also emerged as one of the largest trading partners of Saudi Arabia with two-way trade growing progressively. But, there has been continuous trade imbalance of more than $450 million in favor of the Kingdom, which can be offset through increased exports from Pakistan. Islamabad’s share in total imports of Saudi Arabia amounts to 0.42 percent, which is negligible. The two countries have so far set up 26 small and medium size joint projects.
Recently, Saudi Arabia’s Jamjoom Kinnana Company for Trading and Contracting inked an agreement with a Pakistani company for the assembly of wireless loop in Pakistan. Also, the Kingdom’s largest billet making plant in the private sector, Tuwairqi Group of Companies, has agreed to invest $100 million in Karachi.
Also, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council signed a major framework agreement with Pakistan last week to forge closer economic relations.
