Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who is leading a high powered delegation on an official visit to Pakistan.

The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and conveyed his sincerest wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz  Al Saud.

The Prime Minister underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its longstanding fraternal, economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. He said both countries had always stood together at all times.

While recalling his warm and productive meeting with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Makkah earlier this month, the Prime Minister stated that the visit of the Saudi delegation led by the Foreign Minister, immediately after his visit, was a manifestation of the strong commitment of both countries to the strengthening of bilateral relations focused on mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

In this regard, the Prime Minister said that both sides needed to work closely to expedite the first phase of Saudi investments in Pakistan under the new arrangement.

The Prime Minister informed the delegation about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and its initiatives to promote investment in Pakistan. He also highlighted the key role of Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and the cooperation of all institutions for the promotion of investment in the country through SIFC.

The Saudi Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to his delegation and highlighted that Saudi Arabia attached high importance to its strong and close ties with Pakistan. The Foreign Minister also conveyed the Kingdom’s commitment to an enhanced strategic and economic partnership with Pakistan.

The escalating situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories was also discussed.

Islamabad:   Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan urged the international community to play its due role to ensure ceasefire in Gaza.

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal regretted over the loss of precious lives during the ongoing war in Gaza.

“Over 35,000 deaths is the failure of the international community,” said FM Prince Faisal Bin Farhan while addressing a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Tuesday (today).

The Saudi delegation led by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan arrived in Islamabad on Monday evening.

The Saudi FM said that said that they were impressed by the format for investment in Pakistan as it gave huge confidence to them to move forward for the projects.

“We have seen an inter-governmental approach in this format. This new format is really impressive. And it has given us a lot of confidence,” said FM Prince Faisal Bin Farhan while responding to a question about the key areas where the Saudi government was going to make investment.

The Saudi FM further said that the international community must act to ensure ceasefire in  Gaza. The region, he said, could not bear the conflict.

“People are starving to death. There must be immediate ceasefire. There is no justification for restrictions against humanitarian aid,” said the Saudi FM.

He regretted over killing of the six foreign aid workers but it got the international community awoke.  He also mentioned the double standard at the international level in this regard.

“We are already a trouble region, and we cannot afford any conflict further,” he added.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar endorsed the view point of his Saudi counterpart and said that Pakistan is equally concerned about Gaza conflict.

He said they asked the international community for the ceasefire in Gaza and ensure provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza who were starving to death.

“We are deeply concerned about Gaza situation, said FM Dar.

Talking about the investment opportunities and potential, Ishaq Dar said that a detailed briefing was held about the potential of the investment.

“We have given a good menu covering the different sectors including IT where the investment could be made,” said Ishaq Dar while addressing a question about the role of SIFC.  He said they were trying to convert and upgrade this relationship.

“We have a huge agenda to work with. Pakistan has a huge potential and we are trying to streamline it,” said Foreign Minister Dar.

Prince Faisal also lauded the great role of the Pakistani citizens for their contribution to the Saudi economy.

“We can add value to it in this regard,” said FM Prince Faisal, emphasizing upon bilateral cooperation to address the challenges.

The both sides agreed to strengthen their bilateral ties and cooperation.

Lahore: The industrial city of Faisalabad is ready to host the expanded and rebranded National Women’s One-Day Tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday.

Until last season, the 45-over competition was contested by three sides – Blasters, Challengers, and Dynamites – under the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament banner.

This year, the Pakistan Cricket Board, in its continued endeavor, support and promotion for women’s cricket, has included six regional sides for the competition that will be held in a double-league 50-over format, guaranteeing each side, at least 10, matches. The six regional sides competing in the event, which carries a total prize money of PKR2.245 million, are: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Rawalpindi.

The top two sides after 30 league matches will progress to the final on 11 May, with the winning side lifting the silverware and collecting a PKR one million cheque.

The venues for this important event are Jawad Club Cricket Ground, Iqbal Stadium, and Bohranwali Cricket Ground, with Saeed Ajmal Academy Ground as the reserve venue.

Omaima Sohail will captain the Karachi Region, Lahore will be led by Kaynat Hafeez, Saima Malik will skipper Quetta, Humna Bilal will lead Multan, while Gull Rukh and Mahnoor Aftab will captain Peshawar and Rawalpindi, respectively.

Fixtures for Wednesday: Quetta vs. Rawalpindi, Jawad Cricket Club Ground; Karachi vs. Multan, Iqbal Stadium; Peshawar vs. Lahore, Bohranwali Cricket Ground.

Fixtures for Friday: Quetta vs. Peshawar, Iqbal Stadium; Lahore vs. Karachi, Jawad Club Cricket Ground; Rawalpindi vs. Multan, Bohranwali Cricket Ground.