ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (NNN- AGENCIES) – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Pakistan for a two-day state visit and $20bn in investment deals were signed to shore up the South Asian nation’s ailing economy
Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS, arrived in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Sunday, a day after he was originally scheduled to land. He was greeted by Prime Minister Imran Khan and given a red-carpet welcome with a 21-gun salute.
Khan himself drove the Saudi royal to the prime minister’s residence, where he was met by an honour guard
The prince was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including leading businessmen and cabinet ministers, who shortly after their arrival in Pakistan signed a spate of agreements totaling more than $20bn, according to Prince Mohammed who spoke at a joint press conference later with Khan.
“It’s going to grow every month, every year,” he said of economic cooperation between the two countries. “We believe Pakistan is going to be a very important country in the coming future and we want to be sure we are a part of that.”
The crown prince also announced his vision to make Saudi Arabia a top destination for tourism. The kingdom aims to diversify its oil-reliant economy in a plan described as Vision 2030.
Red carpet welcome
Major roads in Islamabad were blocked off for Prince Mohammed’s arrival with more than 1,000 police checkpoints set up. Entry into the fortified diplomatic zone was banned, and the airspace over the city was shut down.
Saudi and Pakistani flags were on display throughout the city, alongside portraits of MBS and Khan.
Mobile phone and internet services were blocked in parts of the city. Monday has been declared a public holiday and schools and offices will be closed.
Deals galore
During Prince Mohammed’s visit, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia “will be signing a number of agreements and MoUs related to diverse sectors, including investment, finance, power, renewable energy, internal security, media, culture and sports”, according to Pakistan’s foreign office.
That includes a $10bn refinery and petrochemicals complex in the coastal city of Gwadar, where China is building a port, as well as the possible acquisition of two major power plants by Saudi companies, officials and analysts told Al Jazeera.
Prince Mohammed’s trip comes amid high tensions in the region: India and Saudi Arabia’s archrival Iran – both bordering Pakistan – have accused Islamabad of backing “militant” groups which have carried out suicide attacks on their soil in recent days.
It will also apparently coincide with possible new talks between the Taliban and the United States on Afghanistan.
After Pakistan, MBS will travel to India, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He is expected to finish the trip with a visit to China on Thursday and Friday.
Two short stops initially scheduled for Sunday and Monday in Indonesia and Malaysia were postponed on Saturday without explanation.
