Saudi Crown Prince arrives in Pakistan amid tensions over Pulwama attack
Islamabad, Feb 17: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Pakistan on Sunday evening, even as the visit risks being overshadowed by escalating tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan. The trip comes days after a suicide bomber killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.
Unease ran in the government circles in Islamabad that the Saudi prince might call off the trip due to security reasons after building up of tensions between Pakistan and India following a terror attack on soldiers in Kashmir on Thursday, according to officials privy to the developments.
But there was a sigh of relief when the Foreign Office announced on Friday night that the de-facto ruler of the Gulf Kingdom will arrive on Sunday.
No reason was given for the rescheduling of the planned arrival of the prince. However, the duration of two-day was not curtailed, nor the meetings and investment plans.
The crown prince was due to reach Pakistan on Saturday, but his arrival was delayed for a day.
Saudi Arabia on Friday said it stood with India's fight against terrorism and extremism and denounced as "cowardly" the attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers.
The crown prince, who is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, will be accorded a red carpet welcome and presented a guard of honour at the PM House after his arrival at Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi.
According to official media, the prince will be received by Prime Minister Khan and members of his cabinet at the air base. He will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including members of Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.
This will be his first official visit to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of crown prince in April 2017.
During his visit, Muhammad bin Salman, colloquially known as MBS, will meet President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Pakistan
and
Saudi
Arabia
will
sign
a
number
of
agreements
and
MoUs
in
diverse
sectors.
According
to
Advisor
to
PM
on
Trade,
Razzak
Dawood,
agreements
worth
between
USD
10-15
billion
will
be
signed,
including
one
about
Saudi
investment
to
build
an
oil
refinery.
The
refinery
once
ready
will
help
to
save
about
USD
1.25
billion
in
imports
bills.
The two sides will also set up an advisory council led by the crown prince and the prime minister of Pakistan to follow up the agreement singed so that they are implemented on time.
Special arrangements were made in Islamabad to accord a warm welcome to the prince and his entourage on their arrival.
Big portraits of MBS, King Salman, Prime Minister Khan and President Alvi have been erected on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad.
Banners
and
posters
inscribed
with
slogans
of
Pak-Saudi
friendship
and
fraternity
have
also
been
put
on
display
along
the
roads.
A
big
portrait
of
the
crown
prince,
120
feet
tall
and
45
feet
wide,
was
also
installed
on
the
parliament
building.
Locally built JF-17 Thunder jets will escort the plane of the prince after it entered Pakistani airspace.
Elaborate security arrangement were made and the routes leading to Red Zone where all important government offices and diplomatic missions were located was sealed for common public.
A four-tier security arrangements have been made for the prince. The outer most tier will be manned by police, the second by paramilitary Ranger, the third by the army and the fourth and inner most by the royal guards of the prince.
The prince will also use about 130 royal guards. A 235-member delegation of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), led by Pakistan's former army chief General Raheel Sharif, is in the capital to ensure foolproof security.
A holiday was declare for Monday to avoid tension for workers and students as more than 1,000 security check points were set up in the city and at entry places.