RIYADH, 24 January 2006 — Pakistan expects the landmark visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Islamabad on Feb. 1 as a fillip to the long-standing relations between the two countries.
During his three-day visit, the king will sign a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) in the fields of education, security, economy and other sectors of mutual interest.
“This is an important visit from our point of view. It will provide an opportunity for appraisal of the changing economic and political environment in the region as well as review international issues of importance and concern for the two countries,” Pakistan Ambassador retired Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza told Arab News yesterday. He added that the two are friendly countries united spiritually and culturally.
He pointed out that the Kingdom hosts 1.2 million Pakistanis and Islamabad is keen to talk to top officials regarding the welfare of its workers.
“Pakistan enjoys deep-rooted and everlasting relationship with the Kingdom and has unanimity of views on regional and international issues,” Mirza stressed.
“Since Saudi businessmen will be accompanying the king, they will certainly discuss the possibility of more investment opportunities in Pakistan with their counterparts.”
Pakistan imports oil worth $2 billion from the Kingdom and exports $500 million of goods to Saudi Arabia. “With the royal visit, we expect this aspect of our relations to receive a boost,” Mirza said.
He said the topics that will be taken up for discussion with the monarch, would include cooperation in security matters, Pakistan’s relation with its neighbors, the war on terrorism, the Middle East, Iraq and reforms at the United Nations as well as the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
During the visit, the two countries will sign agreements on avoidance of double taxation and evasion of taxes on income and an agreement on security cooperation.
Mirza said another agreement on scientific and education cooperation will also be signed and this will be handled by the education ministries in the respective countries.
Memoranda of understanding will be signed on cooperation to curb drug trafficking, reciprocal protection of investment and political consultation between the two foreign ministries. “The MoU on protection of investment will definitely encourage businessmen to invest freely in both countries,” the ambassador said.
President Parvez Mushraff has arranged a civic reception for King Abdullah in the Pakistani capital. He will also host the king at a banquet.
