ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was accorded a warm welcome when he arrived Monday on a two-day official visit to Pakistan for holding bilateral talks with Pakistani leadership.
He was received at the Noor Khan Airbase by Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Abdul Aziz Ibrahim al-Ghadeer and other high officials from the foreign office.
Saud al-Faisal’s visit has come amid speculation circling in the local media regarding a likely deal between Pakistani and Saudi government to provide General (retd) Pervez Musharraf a safe exit out of the country.
The former military ruler is currently facing high treason charges for imposing a sate of emergency in Pakistan and dislodging judges of the superior courts in 2007.
On Nov 17 last year, the government had announced its decision to formally prosecute the former president under Article 6 of the Constitution.
According to foreign office however, this is normal interaction between the two counties and the Saudi foreign minister will meet Premier Sharif and hold formal talks with Sartaj Aziz.
The Saudi foreign minister is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who invited him during a meeting on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly session in New York in September last year.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy a very close relationship and this would be the first high level visit of Saudi diplomat after the new government, led by PM Sharif, assumed power in Pakistan.
Besides bilateral matters, Saudi foreign minister will also discuss Afghanistan and regional situation including post-foreign troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan.