Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of Saudi King Shah Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
"Being custodian of the two holy mosques, King Abdullah had a deep respect in the hearts of Pakistani people," the Prime Minister said.
He said Pakistani nation stands with King s family and Saudi nation in this hour of grief.
King Abdullah, believed to be around 90, had been at a hospital in Riyadh for several weeks suffering from lung infection.
He came to the throne in 2005 after the death of King Fahad bin Abdulaziz. He was also Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers and Commander of the National Guard.
Now, he has been replaced by his half-brother Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Salman, 79, had been defence minister and previously governor of the capital Riyadh. Another of the late monarch's half-brothers, Moqren, was named the new crown prince.
Abdullah will be buried later Friday following afternoon prayers, and citizens would be invited to pledge allegiance to the new monarch and the crown prince at the royal palace.
