Prime Minister Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif performed Umrah in Makkah along with members of his delegation and was blessed to step inside the Holy Kaaba as its doors were especially opened for Pakistan delegation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Shehbaz Sharif also kissed the Al Hajar Al-Awad stone after performing Tawaf. 

On the occasion, the Prime Minister prayed for the peace and progress of Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah.

https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/1520246169934254080 

https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/1520246178289692672  

Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif had visited on Thursday the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. During his visit, Shehbaz performed prayers, and was honored to enter the Roza-e-Rasool (R.A) as doors were opened for him and his delegation.

Talks with Saudi Crown Prince

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah as a part of his three-day visit to the kingdom, and discussed a range of issues with him, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Taking to Twitter, the Pakistani government said that both leaders exchanged views on “matters of mutual interest, especially on various regional and international issues”.

A report by the Saudi Gazette said that Shehbaz Sharif and Bin Salman reviewed the “fraternal and historical relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia”.

The two leaders also discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation and promising opportunities as well as the ways of developing them in various fields, the report added.

Upon his arrival, Shehbaz Sharif was given a guard of honour and an official reception ceremony was held for the Pakistani Prime Minister at the Al-Salam Palace.

This is Shehbaz Sharif's first foreign trip after taking charge as Pakistan's PM.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb were also present in the meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan wanted to transform its historic relations with Saudi Arabia into a deep and diverse strategic partnership.

“Our two countries have had this special bond for seven decades now. It is now our earnest desire to transform this relationship into a deep, diverse and mutually beneficial strategic partnership,” Shehbaz Sharif told Arab News in a written interview.

“The very fact that I went to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on my first visit abroad, reflects the high importance that Pakistan attaches to its special relationship with Saudi Arabia.”

The prime minister said both countries were now working on exploring new and non-conventional areas of bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on promoting economic, trade and investment ties.

As most of the world remains concerned by the situation in Europe, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sharif said that Pakistan enjoys good relations with both countries and hoped that peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv would resume soon.

“The conflict reflects failure of diplomacy. There is a need for immediate cessation of hostilities, sustained dialogue, and continuous diplomacy,” he added. “A diplomatic solution in accordance with relevant multilateral agreements, international law, and the provisions of the UN Charter is indispensable.”

While Pakistan has abstained from various UN resolutions condemning the invasion that started in late February, Sharif said it “supports all efforts to provide humanitarian relief to civilians in the affected areas.”

Islamabad had dispatched two C-130 aircraft to deliver relief assistance to the people of Ukraine and was considering sending more supplies as a “gesture of solidarity,” he added.

“The conflict was not in the interest of anyone, especially the developing world.”