PM Shehbaz Sharif leads a high-level delegation to Riyadh for the Ninth Future Investment Initiative (FII9) from 27 to 29 October 2025. The visit, at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, targets enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy and human resources. Discussions will address regional issues. On the sidelines, Sharif will meet global leaders to promote Pakistan’s economic potential.
This journey matters for South Asia as it fortifies Pakistan-Saudi ties, a cornerstone of regional stability and economic resilience. Saudi investments could inject billions into Pakistan’s faltering economy, easing fiscal pressures and fostering job creation. Amid geopolitical tensions, such alliances counterbalance influences from rivals, ensuring energy security and trade corridors vital for the subcontinent’s growth.
Pakistan PM Saudi Arabia Visit October 2025: Delegation and Agenda
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar alongside several senior cabinet ministers. The group departs Islamabad on Sunday, 26 October 2025, arriving in Riyadh the next day. Officials confirm the itinerary focuses on bilateral meetings with Saudi counterparts.
The core aim centres on unlocking investment flows. Pakistan seeks Saudi funding for infrastructure, renewable energy projects and skill development programmes. Recent data shows bilateral trade reached USD 5.2 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, up 12 per cent from the prior year. Energy imports from Saudi Arabia alone topped USD 3.8 billion, underscoring dependence on Riyadh’s oil supplies.
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated: “Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will lead a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as well as senior Cabinet Ministers to Riyadh from 27 to 29 October 2025 to participate in the Ninth Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9).”
She added: “During his stay, the prime minister will engage with the Saudi leadership to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in the trade, investment, energy, and human resource sectors. The discussions will also cover regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern.”
These exchanges align with Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), launched in 2023 to streamline foreign direct investment. SIFC reports indicate Saudi Arabia pledged USD 5 billion across mining, agriculture and IT sectors since inception.
Shehbaz Sharif Future Investment Initiative Attendance: Spotlight on Innovation
At FII9, themed “The Key to Prosperity: Unlocking New Frontiers of Growth”, Shehbaz Sharif Future Investment Initiative attendance will feature plenary sessions on artificial intelligence, green finance and supply chain resilience. The event, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, draws over 5,000 delegates including 20 heads of state and 600 speakers.
Sharif plans to pitch Pakistan’s incentives, such as tax holidays in special economic zones and eased repatriation rules. A dedicated panel on South Asian markets could highlight opportunities in textiles and pharmaceuticals, where Pakistan exports USD 1.2 billion annually to Gulf states.
Foreign Office notes: “On the sidelines of FII9, the Prime Minister will also interact with leaders from other participating countries and heads of international organisations. These exchanges will highlight Pakistan’s investment potential and its readiness to pursue collaborations in sustainable development, in line with the ‘Think, Exchange, and Act’ model.”
The visit builds on momentum from September 2025, when Sharif met Crown Prince bin Salman in Riyadh. That encounter yielded a defence pact treating attacks on either nation as joint aggression. It also advanced 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed in 2024, valued at USD 2.8 billion, covering power plants, desalination and food security. An earlier batch of 27 MoUs added USD 2.2 billion.
Pakistan’s economy, grappling with inflation at 7.8 per cent and external debt servicing of PKR 6.4 trillion in 2025, views Saudi support as critical. Riyadh extended USD 3 billion in deposits to the State Bank of Pakistan last year, stabilising forex reserves at USD 14.5 billion.
Strengthening Bilateral Bonds: Trade and Energy Focus
Pakistan PM Saudi Arabia visit October 2025 emphasises energy diversification. Saudi Aramco explores joint ventures in refining and gas pipelines, potentially adding 500 megawatts to Pakistan’s grid via solar imports. Human resource talks target skilled labour exports, with 2.7 million Pakistanis remitting USD 7.6 billion from Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Shehbaz Sharif Future Investment Initiative attendance extends to tech collaborations. Discussions may cover fintech hubs linking Riyadh Season with Pakistan’s nascent digital economy, projected to grow 25 per cent yearly.
The partnership traces to 1947, rooted in shared Islamic heritage and strategic alignment. Saudi aid during 2010 floods and IMF bailouts totals over USD 10 billion since 2000. Military ties include joint exercises and arms deals worth USD 1.5 billion.
Regional dynamics add urgency. With Afghanistan’s instability and India’s overtures to Gulf states, Pakistan reinforces its position. The visit signals Riyadh’s preference for Islamabad in counter-terrorism intelligence sharing.
Background: Evolving Relations & PM Shehbaz Sharif Leads the Delegation
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain a multifaceted alliance. Beyond economics, cultural exchanges flourish through Hajj facilitation for 80,000 pilgrims annually. Riyadh’s USD 500 million soft loan in 2023 averted a balance-of-payments crisis.
In 2024, summits yielded frameworks for halal exports, targeting USD 1 billion by 2027. Defence cooperation deepened with the September 2025 agreement, enhancing maritime security in the Arabian Sea.
FII9 provides a platform to operationalize these pacts. Past editions secured USD 60 billion in deals; Pakistan eyes a slice for its USD 350 billion economy.
What’s Next: Potential Outcomes and Follow-Ups
Post-visit, Islamabad anticipates MoU signings by Q1 2026. A joint working group on investments convenes in January. Success hinges on FII9 networking, potentially unlocking USD 2-3 billion in fresh commitments.
PM Shehbaz Sharif leads delegation to Riyadh FII9 not just for immediate gains but to anchor long-term prosperity. As global forums convene, Pakistan positions itself as a gateway for Saudi capital into South Asia, promising mutual dividends in an interconnected world.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 26th, 2025
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