As we celebrate the 74th National Day of Pakistan, I am happy to note that bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have attained new heights during the last few months.

During the period, we have witnessed a flurry of high level visits from both sides and the two countries have cemented relations on a number of fronts.

The three-day visit to Pakistan by Crown Prince Salman, deputy prime minister and defense minister, heralds a new era in bilateral relations.

Visits by Saudi royal family members to Pakistan have always been memorable events in Pakistani minds and King Faisal’s visits to Pakistan in the 70s are still etched in the memories of countless Pakistanis.

Prince Salman’s visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was as keenly anticipated.

The crown prince received a cordial welcome in Pakistan.

He held meetings with Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and the prime minister.

In addition, key ministers and senior defense officials also called on the crown prince.

Both the president and prime minister of Pakistan held banquets in his honor.

During the visit, the leadership of two sides agreed to take advantage of the opportunities available in the two countries for expanding and improving investment, trade, energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and exchange of government’s delegations for mutual benefit.

The crown prince’s landmark visit to Pakistan capped a series of other high level visits from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal visited Pakistan in January.

His visit was followed by the visits of Deputy Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Sultan and Chairman of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities Prince Sultan bin Salman to Pakistan.

These frequent bilateral contacts are an indicator of the importance the leadership of the two countries attaches to bilateral cooperation.

From Pakistani side also a number of important visits have taken place.

Premier Sharif visited the Kingdom in early August 2013 to perform Umrah.

During the visit, he called on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and also met the crown prince.

President Mamnoon Hussain visited the Kingdom on Oct. 11, 2013 to perform Haj.

He called on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Oct. 17, 2013.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq led a 10-member parliamentary delegation to visit the Kingdom on Nov. 17, 2013 at the invitation of the speaker of the Shoura Council.

General Raheel Sharif, chief of army staff, visited the Kingdom in early February and called on the crown prince.

Realizing that the bilateral cooperation can be strengthened best by institutionalyzing linkages and coordination, the two countries have decided to reinvigorate the existing Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) of the two countries.

The JMC process acts as the core of economic and commercial cooperation between the two sides.

The 10th session of the Pak-Saudi JMC will be held soon in Riyadh.

The JMC process is led on Saudi side by the energetic and dynamic Commerce and Industry Minister, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, while Khurram Dastgir Khan, federal minister for commerce will lead from Pakistani side.

Prominent members of the business community from the two countries will also hold meetings on the sidelines of the JMC to identify areas of trade and economic cooperation.

In line with the existing agenda of prioritizing economic cooperation, a high-level delegation of Saudi Agriculture and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) visited Pakistan early this year to examine the prospects of investing in Pakistan’s rice and meat sectors.

Another team of technical experts of Saudi Ministry of Agriculture also visited Pakistan recently to study health and veterinary standards of the poultry, livestock and dairy industry in Pakistan.

The visits are likely to lead to greater cooperation in the areas of food and agriculture.

I am very proud of the role of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistanis are playing a significant role in building the physical and institutional infrastructure of this country.

Whether it is the field of finance, commerce, medicine, construction or business, Pakistani community members have contributed to this country’s development with passion and devotion, which flow from their commitment to Islam and the Holy Land.

Pakistani community in the Kingdom is greatly impressed with the way Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the crown prince have led the country.

The royal family has put the Kingdom on stable foundations of progress and reform.

King Abdullah has focused on the right priorities of education, social sector development and empowerment of women within the framework of Islam.

Today, the Kingdom has world-class infrastructure.

Its economy is thriving at a time when most countries are going through a recession or slow-down. At a time when the entire region is faced with challenges, the Kingdom is enjoying peace as an island of stability.

The bilateral process between the two countries continues to intensify.

The bilateral cooperation will register further growth in the coming years since the relationship between the two brotherly countries of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is based on the lasting bonds between the peoples of the two countries.