MAKKAH, Aug 3: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud here on Saturday.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Hussain Nawaz were present on the occasion.

King Abdullah greeted Mr Sharif on his election as prime minister of Pakistan for a third time and prayed for his successful tenure.

The prime minister expressed gratitude for the sentiments and also thanked the king for a very warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his private visit to Saudi Arabia.

The two leaders expressed complete satisfaction over the state of relations between their two countries and said the bond of brotherhood between them transcended the vicissitude of time.

They said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed commonality of views on many regional and international issues.

Prime Minister Sharif said the relations were not based on political expediency. Rather the ties were etched deep in the heart of every Pakistani and Saudi citizen. “We care about each other more in practice than in words,” he remarked.

Earlier on Friday night, Prime Minister Sharif called on Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The Saudi crown prince warmly received the prime minister and welcomed him to Saudi Arabia.

He also conveyed his greetings to Mr Sharif on becoming prime minister for the third time and expressed the hope that relations between the two countries would further strengthen.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his sentiments and thanked him for the hospitality extended to his delegation during their visit.

During the meeting, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the status of bilateral relations and discussed various issues of mutual interest.

Mr Sharif said that Saudi Arabia was playing a unique and irreplaceable role in the Muslim world.

They agreed that high-level exchanges between the two countries were essential for deepening of their relations.

The crown prince said Pakistan was like his second home.—APP