Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), launched a major education research facility in Islamabad on Friday.

The Sultana Foundation Center for Education Research and Social Development would assist Pakistan's development, Prince Sultan said.

He said the Kingdom would continue to help Pakistan achieve progress and prosperity, particularly in education‚ research and medicine.

He said the Sultana foundation‚ initially launched by his late mother‚ would ensure Pakistan meets these goals.

Sharif said quality education was vital for the country's socioeconomic development, particularly in the field of science and technology.

He said Saudi Arabia is a model Islamic state for Muslims and held in high esteem by the Pakistani people.

Sharif said Saudi Arabia has always proven to be a trustworthy and reliable friend of Pakistan and cooperation between the two countries will continue.

He said the private sector should also share the responsibility of taking the country's economy forward.

Sharif said social service was the most important task of Muslims after the worship of Almighty Allah, and urged the public to help the poor. He said the economic and social progress of the country was directly linked to education.

Sharif said Allah had blessed the country with talented youth and it was the government and private sector's responsibility to train them in nation-building.

He said the “Youth Business Loans” program had been launched to achieve this goal.