President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have extended heartfelt felicitations to leadership and brotherly people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of Kingdom’s 96th National Day.

In their separate messages to Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, they said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share deep-rooted ties of faith, shared history, friendship, mutual trust and solidarity.

The President said signing of Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement have further strengthened strategic dimension of longstanding Pakistan-Saudi partnership.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed confidence that the fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would continue to deepen and expand across diverse areas of mutual interest for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said under dynamic and visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia continues to make impressive strides towards greater prosperity, modernization and innovation.

He said under patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this brotherhood is growing into an even stronger strategic partnership.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder, with the Kingdom in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites.