Agriculture, food security, water management: Pakistan, KSA agree to expand cooperation

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed on Friday to broaden collaboration in farming, water resource handling and food supply security. The understanding emerged from talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley in Islamabad. The discussions centred on raising farm output in Pakistan through technology, research and development, and more efficient use of water.

The two sides also reviewed existing cooperation, with particular attention to Pakistani farm exports to the kingdom. Sharif argued that this long-standing bond should become closer trade and investment links, especially across economic and farming sectors. He described the two nations as strategic partners and said Pakistan wants to use modern farm research and water management methods to lift domestic production.

As a next step, Sharif announced that a team of Pakistani agricultural experts will travel to Riyadh soon for detailed talks on farm technology, research, water resources and other shared interests. He also referred to the recently concluded Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, which he said had drawn the three countries closer. Al-Fadley reaffirmed Riyadh's commitment to deeper cooperation with Islamabad across farming, water and food security.