Agriculture, food security, water management: Pakistan, KSA agree to expand cooperation

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to turn their longstanding ties into stronger economic and investment links, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Friday agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, water management and food security.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley.

The discussions focused on increasing agricultural productivity in Pakistan through greater use of technology, research and development and more efficient management of water resources.

The two sides also reviewed ongoing cooperation, particularly the export of Pakistani agricultural products to Saudi Arabia.

Welcoming the Saudi minister and his delegation, Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed deep-rooted and fraternal relations and described the two countries as strategic partners.

He said the longstanding relationship should now be translated into stronger trade and investment ties, particularly in the economic and agricultural sectors, so that both countries could benefit from their close partnership.

Sharif also expressed satisfaction over the positive cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the agricultural sector, with particular emphasis on Pakistan’s exports of agricultural products to the Kingdom.

He said Pakistan was keen to make greater use of technology, agricultural research and development and modern approaches to water management to enhance domestic agricultural production.

He said cooperation with Saudi Arabia in these areas could help unlock the full potential of bilateral economic ties.

As part of these efforts, the prime minister announced that a delegation of Pakistani agricultural experts would visit Riyadh shortly.

The delegation is expected to hold detailed discussions with Saudi counterparts on agricultural technology, research, water resources and other areas of mutual interest.

The visit, he said, would help both countries identify practical avenues for expanding cooperation and maximising the potential of their agricultural partnership.

During the meeting, the prime minister also highlighted the broader strategic relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

He said the recently concluded Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had brought the three countries closer and conveyed a message of unity and peace across the region.

He welcomed the Saudi minister and his delegation to Islamabad and conveyed his best wishes for the good health and well-being of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Al-Fadley thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, water and food security, signalling Riyadh’s continued interest in expanding collaboration with Islamabad in sectors of strategic economic importance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026