ISLAMABAD - (AFP) - Pakistan's new prime minister, Shahbaz Sharif, made his first foreign visit to Saudi Arabia Thursday, seeking financial support from the kingdom where he spent years in exile.

The kingdom has long been an intelligence partner of Pakistan and a continuous source of support for its ailing economy.

"Today I start a visit to Saudi Arabia to renew and confirm the bonds of brotherhood and friendship between us," Sharif said on Twitter, Thursday, adding that the kingdom "has a special place in all of our hearts."

Sharif was sworn in earlier this month after parliament ousted his predecessor, Imran Khan, in a vote of no confidence.

He inherited a huge public debt, accelerating inflation and a declining currency, but he pledged to speed up the completion of development projects and start the economic recovery.
His delegation is expected to include Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who was appointed foreign minister on Wednesday. The minister is the 33-year-old scion of Pakistan's most powerful political family.

A statement issued by Pakistan's foreign ministry said the talks are expected to focus on "strengthening economic, trade and investment relations and providing greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia".
The statement indicated that Saudi Arabia hosts more than two million Pakistanis.
Shahbaz is the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif, who served as Prime Minister of Pakistan three times, and they have close ties to the Saudi royal family.
Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif went into exile in Saudi Arabia in 2000 after a coup toppled Nawaz a year earlier.
"The Sharif family has always had good relations with the kingdom, and this visit serves the interest of (Shehbaz Sharif)," in showing this to his local audience, said Saudi political analyst Ali al-Shehabi.
But the expert on Pakistan affairs and head of the "Viziar" risk advisory company, Arif Rafiq, did not rule out that these links would be less valuable as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidated his power in the kingdom. "I think the main objective of this visit by Sharif will be to reset relations with (Prince Mohammed) and set the conditions for what could be a partnership that includes more bartering," Rafik said.
He explained that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of crude, already supports Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves and has established a mechanism to sell oil to Pakistan on a deferred payment system.
"The Pakistanis may ask Riyadh for additional deposits in its central bank because its foreign account is under severe pressure," he added.
The detailed itinerary for Thursday was not released, but the Pakistani foreign ministry said the visit would continue until Saturday.