PM Khan leaves for Saudi in first foreign trip

In this file photo, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) or Movement for Justice party, Imran Khan is escorted by police commandos as he attends a general election campaign meeting in Murree on April 29, 2013. (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP)
  • Will fly to the UAE after concluding his visit to the Kingdom
  • King Salman to host state banquet for Pakistan’s head of state

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan embarked on his two-day official visit to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ on Tuesday, on the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
On what will be his first foreign trip after taking charge as prime minister on August 18, Khan will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Finance Asad Umar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, besides a coterie of other officials.
Last month, during a congratulatory call to Khan, the Saudi crown prince told Khan that the Kingdom was keen to invest in Pakistan and strengthen trade ties with Islamabad.
According to an official handout circulated by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister, during his stay in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, will hold a series of meetings on bilateral issues, with a state banquet --hosted by King Salman — and a visit to Makkah and Madina for Umrah also featuring on the itinerary.
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is also expected to call on the prime minister as members of Khan’s federal cabinet meet their counterparts.
After concluding his visit to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, Khan will proceed to the UAE on September 19 where he is scheduled to meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss issues of bilateral interest.