ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has felicitated the leadership of Saudi Arabia on the founding day of the kingdom being celebrated today (Tuesday).
In a tweet, the prime mMinister extended heartiest greetings to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and the brotherly people of the Kingdom. He also prayed for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
On the historic Founding Day of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I extend our heartiest greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HM King Salman bin Abdulaziz; HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman; & brotherly people of the Kingdom. May our two countries & our people prosper.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 22, 2022
The Kingdom will mark the Founding Day for the first time on February 22, after the Saudi Cabinet adopted the day to commemorate the country’s founding in 1727 by Mohammed Bin Saud earlier this month, the emir of Diriyah and is considered the founder of the First Saudi State.
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According to media reports, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to finalise the dates for the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Islamabad likely to take place in March. Pakistan is keen that the Saudi crown prince attends the Pakistan Day parade as a guest of honour on March 23.
Saudi Arabia had extended the financial bailout package to Pakistan to deal with the depleting foreign exchange reserves. A rift between the two countries ended when the prime minister visited Saudi Arabia in October last year and secured another bailout package of $4.2 including $3 billion in cash support and deferred oil payment facility.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also cooperated to arrange an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan in Islamabad. The conference led to the establishment of Trust Fund under the banner of the Islamic Development Bank to help the people of Afghanistan in view of the grave humanitarian situation.
Pakistan is also set to host the regular conference of OIC Foreign Ministers on March 22. It is expected that foreign ministers of OIC would also be invited to witness the Pakistan Day parade.
