ISLAMABAD, 16 April 2006 — Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, arrived here yesterday to a rousing welcome by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The welcome reflected the strategic relations between the two Islamic countries.
Sultan and President Musharraf held official talks and agreed to further enhance relations in trade, investment and defense, a presidential statement said. The two leaders also vowed to strengthen their cooperation in fighting terrorism, it added.
During their lengthy meeting, Musharraf expressed his deep gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the people of Saudi Arabia for the timely assistance to Pakistan after the Oct. 8 earthquake.
Musharraf told Sultan that Pakistan strongly believes in inter-faith harmony and it considers Islam as a message of peace and not of terrorism. The crown prince appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to curb terrorism. He also appreciated Musharraf’s philosophy of moderate enlightenment.
The president also briefed Sultan on Pakistan’s recent peace initiatives and called for a just solution to the Kashmir issue. He said Pakistan and India were moving toward peace, adding that a resolution on Kashmir was an essential prerequisite for it.
Later speaking at a banquet hosted in honor of Prince Sultan, Musharraf said: “Saudi Arabia is a time-tested friend of Pakistan.” In his address, Sultan called for further expanding cooperation in economic, commercial, educational, scientific, technological and defense fields. “Pakistan and the Kingdom will have to modernize their people in accordance with the changing international scenario and bring themselves at par with developed nations,” he added.
The crown prince arrived here on the last leg of an Asian tour which has taken him to Japan and Singapore.
President Musharraf broke protocol when he went with Premier Aziz to Rawalpindi to receive the Saudi guest. Two F-16 fighters earlier escorted Sultan’s special aircraft into Pakistani airspace. He was also given a 21-gun salute.
The airport was decorated with Pakistani and Saudi flags, pictures of King Abdullah, Musharraf, Prince Sultan and Premier Aziz. Schoolchildren at the airport showered petals on the motorcade as it passed them. Traditional horse dancing and folk dances were also part of the welcoming ceremony for the distinguished guest.
Sultan was then driven to Punjab House in a motorcade.
According to Tasnim Aslam, spokesman at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Sultan’s discussions will focus on defense cooperation and other areas of bilateral relations. She noted the “unique and important relationship” between the two countries which are leading members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Saudi Arabia is Pakistan’s largest oil supplier and was the single largest donor — more than $550 million — for reconstruction after the October earthquake that killed 74,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million others.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Asseri also underscored the two countries’ historic and profound relationship. “I do not see any other two countries in the world enjoying such trust and sincere relations,” he added. The ambassador said frequent visits by leaders of the two countries would play a vital role in promoting bilateral relations. “Prince Sultan’s visit is a demonstration of love and affection that the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia have for Pakistan,” Asseri pointed out.
Last February, King Abdullah visited Pakistan and five agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the areas of economy, investment, science, technology and education were signed. Bilateral trade currently stands at $2.83 billion.
