Islamabad/Jeddah, March 12, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday arrived in Saudi Arabia on a brief official visit as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues with no major signs of de-escalation.
The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Gulf countries — including Saudi Arabia — facing attacks from Iran, which Tehran says are targeting United States and Israeli sites in response to earlier large-scale strikes.
According to Pakistan Television News (PTV News), the prime minister was received at the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s Consul General in Jeddah Syed Mustafa Rabani and other diplomatic officials.
The state broadcaster reported that the visit will last only a few hours during which Prime Minister Shehbaz will meet Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office of Pakistan said the visit was being undertaken at the invitation of the Saudi crown prince. During the meeting, the two leaders are expected to exchange views on the evolving regional security situation, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, and bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The visit highlights Pakistan’s positive role in the diplomatic arena, and Pakistan will continue to play this role,” the PMO said.
At a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the visit should also be viewed in the broader context of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate an early cessation of hostilities in the region.
He said Pakistan has been urging respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to international law and principles of the United Nations Charter, and the resumption of dialogue to achieve a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the crisis.
Earlier this week, the prime minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia “before it is needed,” emphasizing the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.
On March 7, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir also visited Saudi Arabia, where he met Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud to discuss the evolving security situation and measures to address Iranian drone and missile attacks on the kingdom.
According to Pakistan’s military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations, the two sides also discussed joint steps to counter the threat under the framework of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year.
Officials say Pakistan has been actively engaging diplomatically with regional stakeholders to help prevent further escalation and encourage dialogue among the parties involved in the conflict.
