In a powerful symbol of unity and faith, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and a high-level delegation, performed Umrah in Makkah on Thursday night during their official visit to Saudi Arabia.
The visit, undertaken at the special invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, comes at a significant time as Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate Eid ul Adha and the Kingdom hosts ongoing Hajj rituals.
In a rare honor, the door of the Holy Kaaba was specially opened for the Pakistani delegation. The prime minister, along with his team, offered special "Nawafil" prayers and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Allah Almighty. They prayed in thankfulness for Pakistan’s recent achievements in the economic and public welfare domains, and specifically marked the symbolic victory of “Bunyan-um-Marsoos.”
Special prayers were also offered for oppressed Muslims in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine, highlighting Pakistan’s consistent support for global Muslim solidarity.
Among those accompanying the premier were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
During his two-day stay, PM Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to a spokesperson from the Foreign Office, discussions will center on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key sectors like trade, investment, regional security, and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
The Pakistani leader is also expected to thank the Saudi leadership for its instrumental role in de-escalating recent tensions between Pakistan and India—an effort widely praised on the diplomatic front.
This visit is not just about spiritual fulfillment. It also signals a deepening of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, built on shared faith, strategic alignment, and mutual respect. Both nations are looking to align their economic and diplomatic priorities, especially in light of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Pakistan's development agenda.
