Online Desk: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday held a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the 15th OIC Islamic Summit Conference, in Banjul, Gambia.

Noting the importance of the long-standing strategic and economic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the deputy prime minister and the Saudi foreign minister reaffirmed the resolve to further enhance economic cooperation and Saudi investments in Pakistan.

The deputy prime minister lauded the “Vision 2030”, which aimed at socio-economic transformation of the Kingdom in the 21st century.

Deputy PM Dar and the Saudi Foreign Minister expressed deep concern over the recent developments in the Middle East and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

They also noted the important role of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on issues concerning the Muslim Ummah, including the situations in Palestine and Kashmir.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Hassan Shoukry and discussed different aspects of Pakistan-Egypt ties.

The two leaders emphasised further strengthening of relations which are characterized by common bonds of faith, cultural affinity and similarity of perception on regional and global issues.

The foreign minister also held a meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and discussed areas of bilateral cooperation. The two sided agreed to continue engagement to advance bilateral relations in all domains, a press release issued by the Foreign Office said.

The deputy prime minister underscored the utmost priority of the government to transform the traditionally fraternal ties with Kuwait into a mutually beneficial economic partnership, the statement added.

The two leaders expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. The called on UNSC to take urgent steps for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to facilitate increased and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

In his meeting with Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr Shaya Mohsen Al-Zindani, the foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to explore avenues for cooperation with Yemen in various sectors such as education.

The foreign minister also met his Nigerien counterpart BakaryYaouSangare and exchanged views on a wide range of issues and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral dialogue and cooperation especially in the economic domain.

The two sides also discussed coordination within the OIC framework and agreed to continue working closely to advance the collective interest within the OIC and beyond.