ISLAMABAD: The chief minister of Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, Syed Murad Ali Shah, this week invited Saudi Arabia to invest in its transport and infrastructure sectors, as both sides discussed expanding bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities.
The statement from the provincial government was issued after Shah met Saudi Arabia’s Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser at the Chief Minister’s House in Karachi on Monday. Al-Jasser is in Karachi to attend the Nov. 3-6 Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC).
Shah and other Sindh government officials met Al-Jasser and a high-level Saudi delegation which included the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and senior officials from the Saudi transport ministry. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral ties, facilitating Hajj pilgrims and enhancing Saudi investment in Sindh’s transport and infrastructure sectors.
“Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah welcomed the Saudi delegation and said that Sindh offers vast investment opportunities, particularly in transport, logistics, and road infrastructure,” a statement from the chief minister’s media coordinator said on Monday.
“He invited Saudi investors to participate in Karachi’s ongoing and upcoming major transport projects, including rapid transit and light rail systems.”
Shah said Sindh’s growing urban centers and increasing connectivity create significant potential for public-private partnerships (PPP). He said the Sindh government is committed to ensuring transparent procedures and a conducive business environment for foreign investors.
The statement said both sides also agreed on launching direct flights between Karachi and Madinah to strengthen trade, tourism and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
“Both parties also agreed to expand cooperation in the maritime and port sectors to further enhance the historical seaborne links between Karachi and Saudi ports,” the statement said.
Al-Jasser expressed his resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-Saudi Arabia’s bilateral partnership, the provincial government said.
“Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are entering a new era of partnership and cooperation,” Al-Jasser was quoted as saying by the Sindh government. “Under the vision of our leadership, we aim to work together for Pakistan’s development and to further strengthen the relations between our two brotherly nations.”
It said both sides agreed to establish a joint working group to review progress on agreed projects and explore new opportunities within the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia partnership framework.
