Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for a brief day-long official visit to Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

According to official sources, the visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will hold a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The two leaders are expected to discuss the evolving regional tensions and the broader regional security situation.

Matters related to bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will also come under discussion during the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar accompanied the prime minister.

The visit highlights Pakistan’s positive and active role in diplomacy on the international stage.

Earlier, at his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told the media that the prime minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia was part of the coordination between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on matters of regional peace and security and ending violence and hostilities.

He said that the visit should also be seen in the broader context of Pakistan’s efforts to advocate and facilitate an early cessation of hostilities and violence in the region with the aim of paving the way for dialogue and diplomacy.