Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for London on Thursday after concluding his state visit to Saudi Arabia.

Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Prince Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, saw him off at Riyadh Airport.

The prime minister visited the kingdom at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.

During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between the two countries.

This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.

The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.

Deeply touched

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that he was “deeply touched” by the heart-warming welcome accorded to him by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on his visit to Riyadh.

“Deeply touched by the heart-warming welcome accorded to me by my dear brother HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on my visit to Riyadh,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline.

He said that from the unprecedented escort provided to his aircraft by the Royal Saudi Air Force jets to the smartly turned-out guard of the Saudi Armed Forces, the welcome reception spoke volumes about the abiding love and mutual respect between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The prime minister said that his “most cordial” talks with the Crown Prince covered a wide range of issues, reviewing regional challenges and enhancing bilateral cooperation, deeply admiring the Saudi leader’s vision and leadership that he provided to the Muslim world.

On the bilateral front, he said that he greatly valued the crown prince’s consistent support and his keen interest in expanding Saudi investments, trade and business ties between the two countries.

“It is my fervent prayer that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia’s friendship continues to flourish and attain new heights of glory. Inshallah,” he added.