Saudi F-15s Escort PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Aircraft in Aerial Honour

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday on an official visit aimed at reinforcing Pakistan’s long-standing ties with Saudi Arabia and exploring new avenues of cooperation.

As the premier’s aircraft entered Saudi airspace, it was given an aerial escort by Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets, a gesture that he described as a “gracious honour” extended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman bin Abdul Aziz.

Speaking onboard his special flight, PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for the warm welcome, terming it “a reflection of the brotherly relations shared by the two nations.”

The prime minister Shehbaz Sharif is accompanied by senior members of his cabinet. According to the Foreign Office, the visit will include a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to review “the entire spectrum” of Pakistan-Saudi relations. The agenda will also feature consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“The visit is expected to result in the formalisation of cooperation in diverse fields, underscoring the shared commitment of both nations to deepen their partnership,” the FO statement noted.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share historic ties rooted in religion, values, and trust. In recent months, both sides have engaged in extensive dialogue to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation. In October 2024, the two countries signed 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering private sector collaboration and commercial partnerships.

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This year alone, PM Shehbaz has made two official trips to the Kingdom — in March and June — to focus on investment and trade. Earlier this week, he also met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, where leaders discussed the regional situation following Israeli airstrikes in Qatar.

The Saudi crown prince praised Pakistan’s active diplomatic role at the United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi leadership in uniting the Muslim world during critical times.