Pakistan president arrives in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj

Jeddah, (IINA) - Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain arrived with his family in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, Arab News reported Monday.
He landed in Madinah where he was received by Wahib Al-Sahil, undersecretary of Madinah governorate. Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq, Consul-General Sharyar Akbar Khan and other officials from the consulate were also present.
Hussain performed prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque on Saturday and Sunday, and was preparing to travel to Makkah to perform Hajj. 
“President Hussain prayed for excellent bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia. He also prayed for the solidarity, progress, and prosperity of the peoples of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and for peace and prosperity of the Mulsim Ummah,” said Haq.
Haq said that Saudi Arabia is not a new place for the president as Pakistan has always had strong brotherly relations with the Kingdom. The recent visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Asia began from Pakistan, which shows the significant role of Pakistan, he said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close relations and have identical viewpoints on major regional and international issues. More than two million Pakistani expats live and work in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan holds its defense ties with Saudi Arabia in the highest esteem and attaches great importance to the security of the Kingdom and other GCC countries.
A total of 142,000 Pakistani pilgrims are going to perform Hajj this year, with more than 105,000 Pakistani pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah.