Pakistan, Feb. 18 -- Fighter jets escorted Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's plane through Pakistani airspace and a 21-gun salute greeted him upon landing Sunday evening at the Nur Khan Airbase in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

The federal capital was blanketed with enormous posters of the royal guest, grinning beneath his familiar red and white-checked headscarf. Banners welcomed him to his 'second home'.

The security arrangements have been extraordinary, with thousands of armed forces scheduled to guard various venues and Saudi security teams working with their Pakistani counterparts for weeks. The capital region will stay on high alert during the visit, with sharpshooters stationed on rooftops, airspace to be shut down, cell...