High-Level Committee Formed
The Pakistan government has formed an 18-member high-level committee to accelerate economic cooperation and negotiations with Saudi Arabia. This step follows the historic Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement recently signed between the two countries. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the committee will operate under the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Economic Framework, aiming to expand collaboration beyond defence, energy, and traditional sectors.
Leadership and Core Teams
Senator Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change, and Lt Gen (retd) Sarfraz Ahmad, National Coordinator of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), will co-chair the committee. They will form core negotiation teams to work directly with Saudi counterparts. All members must be available from October 6, with travel approvals processed on the same day to ensure fast action.
Key Members and Coordination
Other members include:
Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema
Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal
Minister for Energy Awais Leghari
Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain
Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja
Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan
SECP Chairman Akif Saeed
State Bank Deputy Governor Dr Inayat Hussain
Representatives from the SBP, FBR, SECP, and the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh will also join to ensure full coordination.
Objectives and Economic Focus
The committee must submit progress reports to the Prime Minister every two weeks. Sources indicate Pakistan will push for buy-back investments in oil and agriculture and explore ways to reduce the $3 billion trade deficit in Saudi Arabia’s favour. Discussions may also include the long-delayed oil refinery project.
The committee aims to strengthen ties with Riyadh, home to nearly 2.6 million Pakistani expatriates who contribute substantial remittances. Saudi Arabia has also pledged a $5 billion investment package to support Pakistan’s foreign reserves and economic stability.
Prime Minister’s Upcoming Visit
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to visit Saudi Arabia later this month to finalise key economic agreements. Analysts see the committee as a strategic move to align Pakistan’s economic diplomacy with its defence partnership, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship with the Kingdom.
Strategic Defence Partnership
Under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, any aggression against Pakistan or Saudi Arabia will be treated as an act against both nations. This pact strengthens decades-long strategic ties in the region.
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