Pakistan new PM Khan visits Saudi Arabia, UAE – Islamabad eyes loans

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In this photo released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan (left), meets with Saudi King Salman on Sept 19 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Khan is on a tour of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as part of his first overseas trip since taking office. (AP)

RIYADH, Sept 20, (Agencies): Saudi King Salman hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on his maiden foreign visit since coming to power, state media said, as Islamabad seeks to stave off a financial crisis. Khan also met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and energy minister Khalid al-Falih as he concluded his two-day visit, the Saudi Press Agency said, amid speculation that he would seek economic assistance from the oil-rich ally.

“Anyone who comes to power in Pakistan will visit Saudi Arabia first,” Khan told Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television during his visit to the western city of Jeddah. “Saudi Arabia has in the past helped Pakistan when Pakistan has been in need,” he added. Former cricket great Khan, who assumed office one month ago, faces challenges including a faltering economy, militant extremism, water shortages and a rapidly growing population.

The most pressing is a looming balance-of-payments crisis, with analysts predicting Pakistan will have to go to the International Monetary Fund for a fresh bailout.

The IMF has bailed Pakistan out repeatedly since the late 1980s. The last time was in 2013, when Islamabad got a $6.6 billion loan to tackle a similar crisis. Pakistani media has speculated that Khan is eyeing Saudi Arabia and China to provide loans to rescue Islamabad from the crisis and stave off another IMF bailout.

Khan was accompanied to Jeddah by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Finance Minister Asad Umar, who met his Saudi counterpart Mohammed al-Jadaan. The two finance ministers spoke about “financial and economic cooperation” between the two countries, SPA said in a brief statement. His tour of the Gulf comes as a Pakistani court on Wednesday ordered the release of his political rival, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, suspending their prison sentences for corruption pending an appeal hearing.

After his Saudi visit, Khan arrived in the UAE on Wednesday night and was met by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE provide vital overseas jobs for Pakistanis abroad. Saudi Arabia in particular maintains close security ties to Pakistan.

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