Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 7 August 2026: Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday, accompanied by a high-level Pakistani delegation during his three-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The visit to Jeddah was a reflection of the diplomatic and religious ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia which are rooted in regional cooperation and Islamic solidarity in both countries.
The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, army chief and chief of defence forces Syed Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials. They participated in the sacred pilgrimage rituals after arriving at the holy city of Makkah.
Before performing Umrah, the Pakistani delegation was granted the special privilege of entering the Holy Kaaba. It is a rare privilege and it is only given to distinguished guests and visiting dignitaries by the Saudi authorities. The visit inside the Kaaba was a spiritual one for the Prime Minister and his delegation.
After the Umrah rituals were performed, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of the delegation offered prayers for the development and prosperity of Pakistan. They also prayed for the unity, security and well-being of the Muslim Ummah and for long-term peace and stability of the region and the world.
The official pictures released during the visit depicted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with senior members of his delegation near the Holy Kaaba and the solemn and spiritual atmosphere of the visit. The images quickly went viral on Pakistani media and social media and many people viewed the visit as a religious ceremony and a symbol of the close relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The Saudi visit comes at a time when Pakistan is deepening its diplomatic relations with Gulf nations. Saudi Arabia is one of Pakistan’s most strategic partners for economic cooperation, investment opportunities and assistance in many fields. The two countries maintain close defence coordination and cooperate with each other at every level of the country (both on regional and international issues) from diplomatic channels.
In Pakistan, Saudi Arabia holds great religious significance as the custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, Makkah and Madinah. Each year millions of Pakistani pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah and religious cooperation plays a great role in the bilateral relationship. During high-level visits, leaders can perform religious rituals in addition to their official activities.
Shehbaz Sharif’s visit is expected to include discussions with Saudi leadership on economic cooperation, investment, regional security and bilateral relations. Pakistan has long been trying to build up its economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia and, moreover, relations in energy, infrastructure, mining, and investment, as well as in issues concerning the Middle East and the Muslim world.
مکہ مکرمہ: 7 اگست 2026.
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 7, 2026
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف، نائب وزیرِ اعظم و وزیرِ خارجہ سینیٹر محمد اسحاق ڈار، آرمی چیف و چیف آف ڈیفینس فورسز سید عاصم منیر، وفاقی وزراء خواجہ محمد آصف، عطاء اللہ تارڑ، معاون خصوصی طارق فاطمی اور پاکستانی وفد نے مکہ مکرمہ میں عمرہ ادا کیا.
عمرہ کی… pic.twitter.com/fgRwZlMCzP
The presence of senior government officials and military leadership in the delegation indicates the strategic importance of Pakistan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. What's more, both diplomatic and symbolic visits are also intended to strengthen cooperation and bring together religious and cultural values between the two countries.
As the official visit continues, we will keep watching for news of bilateral agreements, investment plans or increased collaboration. Whatever the diplomatic outcomes, the delegation’s participation in Umrah and the prayers at Islam’s holiest site will be among the most significant and recognizable moments of the visit.
