Diplomatic efforts are underway to arrange an official visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, informed sources told The Correspondent.
The visit can happen as early as January 2021, subject to necessary coordination between the foreign offices of all three nations.
The Prime Minister is expected to take up the matter of the UAE visa ban on Pakistani nationals with the Emirati leadership during his visit. He is also expected to discuss bilateral issues and improved coordination with Saudi Arabia during his expected visit to the kingdom.
The UAE visa ban – in place since November 18 – was discussed during the Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi, but no breakthrough could be achieved on the issue.
On Monday, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Mr. Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki called on the Prime Minister at his Bani Gala home to discuss bilateral ties between the two countries along with developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The exchange of views focused on bilateral cooperation and the COVID-19 situation,” Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
“The resolve to further strengthen the strong, longstanding Pakistan-Saudi Arabia fraternal ties was reaffirmed.” it added.
Recently Pakistan returned one billion dollars in July as the second instalment of a three billion soft loan, while another one billion is being paid this month.
