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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia stand together in all threats: Imran

RIYADH: Prime Minister Imran Khan., while highlighting the close and historic ties between the two brotherly nations said that Pakistan-Saudi relations transcend all other relations due to people-to-people contacts.

Addressing the Middle East Green Initiative Summit in Saudi Arabia on Monday, he said that whichever government comes to power in Pakistan, it does not affect Pakistan-Saudi relations, he added. The Prime Minister said the special relationship with Saudi Arabia besides the fact that they were tied with the two Holy Mosques, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia always stood with each other in hard times.

Top leaders and government officials from around the globe pose for a group photo as they gather in Riyadh on October 25, 2021, for the Middle East Green Initiative Summit mediated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (sixth from left), Imran Khan (eighth).
(Photo courtesy: Saudi Green Initiative)

“As human beings, we don’t remember those who were with you in good times but those who stood with you in bad times”, he remarked. Reiterating his country’s commitment to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, the Prime Minister said that whenever there is any security threat, Pakistan will stand with Saudi Arabia and ensure its security.

Imran Khan said like Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who has dynamism and a passion for change, he also wanted a Naya Pakistan. He said that Pakistan was the fastest growing economy in Asia until 1960s with strong institutions like PIA being one of the best airlines in the world at that time. “Then we lost that path through the policy of nationalisation”, he added.

Imran Khan said that with 10 percent of countries responsible for 80 percent of the world carbon emissions, there is a need for collective efforts for taking this challenge more seriously.

Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing at Middle East Green Initiative Summit at Riyadh Saudi Arabia on 25th October, 2021.

Addressing the Middle East Green Initiative Summit in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Prime Minister said he hopes that we will collectively take this challenge more seriously. He said Pakistan unfortunately, being among the 10 most vulnerable countries, had faced 150 harsh weather events during the last ten years with an economic impact of over US $ 3.8 billion. He said the economic cost of climate change to be faced by Pakistan in the coming years has been estimated at US $ 6 to 14 billion.

Prime Minister Imran Khan says one billion mangrove trees will be planted in Pakistan to cope with the growing environmental challenges. He said an initiative has been planned to boost mangrove plantation under Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme in the country.

A picture provided by the Saudi Royal Palace on October 25, 2021 shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) welcoming Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (L) during the Middle East Green Initiative Summit (MGI) in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

He said Pakistan is taking serious steps to tackle the environmental issues. The Prime Minister said World should take it serious as it is now affecting coastal communities rapidly.

Imran Khan said tackling existing challenges that affect man-made infrastructure and coastal ecosystems has already become a serious concern.

Besides Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Summit was addressed by leaders and representatives of various countries including Kuwait, Algeria, UK, Greece, Jordan, Russia, Morroco, Qatar, Iraq, Yemen.

Meeting with Saudi crown prince

Imran Khan on Monday met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) summit in Riyadh and discussed with him a range of issues, including climate change, measures to tackle it and the Afghanistan situation. 
At the launch of the summit in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed announced two initiatives at a cost of $10.39 billion to combat climate change. The projects include an investment fund for carbon economy solutions in the region and a global initiative that will contribute to clean fuel solutions to feed more than 750 million people worldwide. Saudi Arabia will contribute around 15 percent of the entire cost. 
PM Khan travelled to the kingdom on the invitation of the Saudi crown prince to attend the MGO summit and share his perspective on challenges faced by developing countries due to climate change.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan (left) meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on the sidelines of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
on October 25, 2021.

During his meeting with the crown prince, PM Khan paid tribute to the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in the progress and development of the kingdom. He lauded the crown prince for the Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism.
“The prime minister warmly congratulated the crown prince on successfully organizing the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit on Climate Change,” his office said in a statement. 
“The summit clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Saudi leadership to take tangible steps for effectively tackling the challenge of Climate Change. The Prime Minister noted that the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative aligned closely with Pakistan’s Climate Change Initiatives – ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ and the ‘Ten Billion Tree Tsunami’.” 

He reiterated Pakistan’s support in the implementation of the initiatives and highlighted the significance Pakistan attached to its strategic ties with the kingdom.