PM Shehbaz concludes visit to Saudi Arabia, to head to Doha: PMO

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has concluded his official visit to Saudi Arabia and will now head to Qatar’s capital Doha, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Thursday.

In a statement posted to social media, the PMO said that PM Shehbaz will hold a bilateral meeting in Doha with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The premier landed in Medina last night during an official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he and his delegation were welcomed by Governor of Medina, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud upon arrival.

According to the PMO, the prime minister visited the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque in Medina and offered prayers for the progress of the country and nation, as well as for peace and reconciliation around the world.

“The gates of the Prophet’s Chamber were opened for the prime minister and the delegation; the prime minister paid a special visit to the Prophet’s Chamber (peace be upon him) and presented salutations and blessings,” the statement said.

PM Shehbaz also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after he reached Jeddah on Wednesday, the PMO said in an earlier statement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also present at the meeting.

Dar posted on X that the meeting was “marked by warmth, brotherhood, and a shared vision for a stronger Pakistan–Saudi Arabia partnership”.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Foreign Office (FO) said the prime minister, accompanied by a high-level delegation, would be undertaking official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye from April 15 to 18.

In its statement, the FO said the visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar were “in the bilateral context”. It added that the premier would meet the leadership there to “discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation as well as regional peace and security”.

In Turkiye, he will participate in the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum and present Pakistan’s position in the Leaders’ Panel along with other world leaders, the FO added.

Gulf countries — including Saudi Arabia — were facing Iranian attacks, which Tehran says were aimed at US and Israeli sites in response to the latter’s deadly large-scale strikes. Pakistan intensified efforts to act as a mediator between the United States and Iran to end the war that had engulfed the Middle East, leading to a fragile, temporary ceasefire and a first round of talks in Islamabad.

Last month, PM Shehbaz hailed Saudi Arabia for showing “remarkable restraint” during the ongoing hostilities and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation.