Islamabad, June 16, 2022, SPA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif received today in Islamabad the "Makkah Route" team, headed by the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki. The Prime Minister praised the historical ties between the two countries, which are characterized by a common understanding on all issues of mutual interest at the regional and international levels, expressing his appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince, for the Kingdom’s continuous support to the Pakistani people, and for including Pakistan in the Makkah Route Initiative, which will benefit thousands of Pakistani pilgrims. Sharif reiterated his full support for the team in Pakistan to realize this distinguished initiative, expressing hope to expand the "Makkah Route Initiative" to include other cities in Pakistan in the future. For his part, Ambassador Al-Malki expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Pakistani Prime Minister for the Pakistani Government’s support to the team for the effective implementation of the initiative. --SPA 21:47 LOCAL TIME 18:47 GMT 0026 www.spa.gov.sa/w1747476