Pakistan, Saudi Arabia chart new course for agriculture and water ties

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to deepen cooperation in agriculture, water management and food security.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for stronger trade and investment ties to build on the two countries' longstanding strategic partnership during a meeting in Islamabad.

What did Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agree on?

Sharif and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, agreed to expand bilateral cooperation across agricultural production, water resources and food security. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad and covered both trade and technical collaboration between the two countries.

Welcoming Al-Fadley and his delegation, Sharif highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries. He conveyed his best wishes to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

How does the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement fit into Pakistan-Saudi ties?

Sharif said the recently concluded Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan had strengthened ties among the three countries. He said it conveyed a message of regional unity and peace, and called for the two countries to build on this strategic partnership through greater economic and agricultural collaboration.

He said closer engagement could help translate strong political ties into stronger trade and investment relations that benefit both countries. Sharif welcomed growing cooperation in agricultural trade, particularly Saudi imports of Pakistani farm products, and expressed satisfaction with progress in the sector.

What steps will Pakistan and Saudi Arabia take next?

Both sides discussed measures to improve agricultural productivity in Pakistan through greater use of technology, research and development, and more efficient management of water resources. Sharif said Pakistan would soon send a delegation of agricultural experts to Riyadh to hold further discussions and identify opportunities to expand cooperation in these areas.

Al-Fadley thanked Sharif for the warm welcome and hospitality. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, water resources and food security.

Federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Jam Kamal Khan, Musadik Masood Malik and Junaid Anwar Chaudhry attended the meeting. Adviser to the Prime Minister Syed Tauqir Shah, Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior government officials were also present.