Overview

• An official notification establishes an 18-member committee to lead talks under the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Economic Framework, with operations starting October 6 and one-hour travel approvals, SIFC facilitation and fortnightly reporting.
• The body is co-chaired by Climate Change Minister Musadik Masood Malik and SIFC National Coordinator Lt Gen Sarfraz Ahmad, and includes key economic ministers, senior regulators and Pakistan’s ambassador in Riyadh.
• The mandate extends beyond defence and energy to cover environmental protection and climate stability, reflecting a broader scope for bilateral economic cooperation.
• Pakistan is expected to seek buy-back investments in oil and agriculture, boost exports to narrow a roughly $3 billion trade deficit, and put a long-delayed refinery project back on the table, according to multiple reports.
• A Saudi Shura Council delegation has arrived in Islamabad for high-level meetings, while a Saudi business mission is expected this week and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to visit Riyadh later in October to advance agreements.