MADINA MUNAWARA, (DNA) – Prime Minister arrived in Madina Munawwara this evening on his first official visit to Saudi Arabia for talks with the Kingdom’s leadership on bilateral cooperation.

Governor Madina-al-Munawwara Prince Faisal Bin Salman received the Prime Minister on the airport.

The prime minister, along with his delegation paid his respects at Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH) and offered Maghrib prayers there.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will call on King Salman bin Abdulaziz and hold a bilateral meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

The Saudi King will also host a State banquet for the Prime Minister at the Royal Court.

According to a press statement released by the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh, Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to discuss many important bilateral, regional and international issues with the Saudi leadership.

Matters related to the welfare of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia and ways to enhance people to people contacts are also likely to come up for the discussions.

The Secretary-General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen will also call on the Prime Minister.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary and Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood are accompanying the Prime Minister.

In 2014, six months after Pakistan obtained its last IMF bailout, Saudi Arabia loaned Pakistan $1.5 billion, which the government used to strengthen its rupee currency.

Pakistan’s current account deficit widened 43 percent to $18 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30, while the fiscal deficit has ballooned to 6.6 percent of the economy.

Khan’s government came to power on the back of populist assurances to root out corruption and reduce poverty. Since taking office, the government has initiated a number of symbolic austerity measures while promising social welfare reforms.