Shehbaz Sharif, MBS Discuss Expanding Economic and Defense Cooperation Between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Riyadh, reaffirming their nations’ longstanding friendship and discussing new opportunities to expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.

🔹 Strengthening Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Partnership

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference in Riyadh, a global summit bringing together world leaders, policymakers, and top investors to discuss innovation, sustainability, and global economic trends.

Sharif, who led a high-level Pakistani delegation, emphasized the “time-tested and brotherly” relations between Islamabad and Riyadh. Both sides agreed to boost cooperation in multiple sectors, including energy, infrastructure, defense, and investment.

🔹 Senior Officials and Military Leadership Present

The discussions were attended by senior cabinet members from both nations and Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. This strong representation highlights the strategic depth of Pakistan–Saudi relations, which extend beyond politics and economics into security and defense collaboration.

“We reaffirmed the enduring strength of the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia brotherly bonds and discussed ways to expand our partnership in trade and investment,”
— Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Sharif praised Crown Prince MBS for his visionary leadership and personal commitment to advancing joint prosperity and regional stability.

🔹 Recent Strategic Defense Pact

In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark Strategic Defense Agreement, declaring that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both.
This formalized their decades-old security partnership, signaling a new era of mutual defense cooperation and regional unity.

🔹 Expanding Economic and Investment Cooperation

The two nations have intensified efforts to deepen their economic and investment ties. In 2024, Islamabad and Riyadh signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth $2.8 billion across various sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, and technology.

Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s key economic allies, contributing significantly to its foreign investment and financial stability.

🔹 Saudi Arabia: A Key Partner in Pakistan’s Growth

Saudi Arabia hosts over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, the largest source of remittances for Pakistan’s $407 billion economy. These remittances play a vital role in supporting Pakistan’s economic growth and foreign exchange reserves.

The two nations continue to build on their faith-based relationship, rooted in mutual respect, strategic trust, and shared development goals.

🔹 Looking Ahead

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman marks another milestone in Pakistan–Saudi relations, paving the way for new trade deals, investment projects, and collaborative ventures that will benefit both countries and strengthen their regional influence.