Cash-strapped Pakistan rolls out red carpet for Saudi crown prince

Islamabad Amid heightened security cashstrapped Pakistan was Sunday ready to receive Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman whose maiden trip to Islamabad was delayed by a day for unknown reasonsUnease ran in the government circles in Islamabad that the Saudi prince might call off the trip due to security reasons after building up of tensions between Pakistan and India following a terror attack on soldiers in Kashmir on Thursday according to officials privy to the developmentsBut there was a sigh of relief when the Foreign Office announced on Friday night that the defacto ruler of the Gulf Kingdom will arrive on SundayNo reason was given for the rescheduling of the planned arrival of the prince However the duration of twoday was not curtailed nor the meetings and investment plansThe crown prince was due to reach Pakistan on Saturday but his arrival was delayed for a daySaudi Arabia on Friday said it stood with Indias fight against terrorism and extremism and denounced as cowardly the attack carried out by Pakistanbased JaisheMohammed JeM terror group in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiersThe crown prince who is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan will be accorded a red carpet welcome and presented a guard of honour at the PM House after his arrival at Noor Khan Air Base in RawalpindiAccording to official media the prince will be received by Prime Minister Khan and members of his cabinet at the air base He will be accompanied by a highpowered delegation including members of Saudi Royal family key ministers and leading businessmenThis will be his first official visit to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of crown prince in April 2017During his visit Muhammad bin Salman colloquially known as MBS will meet President Arif Alvi Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army chief General Qamar Javed BajwaPakistan and Saudi Arabia will sign a number of agreements and MoUs in diverse sectorsAccording to Advisor to PM on Trade Razzak Dawood agreements worth between USD 1015 billion will be signed including one about Saudi investment to build an oil refinery The refinery once ready will help to save about USD 125 billion in imports billsThe two sides will also set up an advisory council led by the crown prince and the prime minister of Pakistan to follow up the agreement singed so that they are implemented on timeSpecial arrangements were made in Islamabad to accord a warm welcome to the prince and his entourage on their arrivalBig portraits of MBS King Salman Prime Minister Khan and President Alvi have been erected on Constitution Avenue in IslamabadBanners and posters inscribed with slogans of PakSaudi friendship and fraternity have also been put on display along the roadsA big portrait of the crown prince 120 feet tall and 45 feet wide was also installed on the parliament buildingLocally built JF17 Thunder jets will escort the plane of the prince after it entered Pakistani airspaceElaborate security arrangement were made and the routes leading to Red Zone where all important government offices and diplomatic missions were located was sealed for common publicA fourtier security arrangements have been made for the prince The outer most tier will be manned by police the second by paramilitary Ranger the third by the army and the fourth and inner most by the royal guards of the princeThe prince will also use about 130 royal guards A 235member delegation of the Islamic Military CounterTerrorism Coalition IMCTC led by Pakistans former army chief General Raheel Sharif is in the capital to ensure foolproof securityA holiday was declare for Monday to avoid tension for workers and students as more than 1000 security check points were set up in the city and at entry placesCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get the latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever