Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Riyadh on October 27, 2025, to attend the 9th Future Investment Initiative (FII9) conference. The visit aimed to strengthen economic diplomacy and attract foreign investment to Pakistan. The Prime Minister attended the event on the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Shehbaz Sharif led a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior cabinet members. The main focus of the visit was to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in trade, investment, energy, and human resources.
During the conference, the Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings with the Saudi Crown Prince and other international leaders. These discussions covered mutual interests, regional cooperation, and new business opportunities. One of the key outcomes of the visit was the launch of an Economic Cooperation Framework between the two countries.
After completing his engagements, Shehbaz Sharif departed for Islamabad on October 29, 2025, marking the end of a productive visit.
Meanwhile, analysts say the new Pak-Saudi cooperation pact may also strengthen defence ties between the two nations. Some observers even suggest that this growing partnership could be a step toward forming a “Muslim NATO” a defensive alliance among Muslim countries.
Experts believe that such an alliance could help prevent aggression against Muslim states and promote collective security. The idea is not new, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, led by Pakistan’s former army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif, already exists under Saudi Arabia’s leadership.
If expanded to include all OIC member states, this cooperation could create a strong and united front to protect Muslim nations from external threats and support regional stability through collective defence and peace efforts.