PM Imran's first official visit to Kingdom reflects strategic relations, says Saudi ambassador

ISLAMABAD - Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Monday said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to choose Saudi Arabia as the destination of his first official visit abroad after  assuming the office reflected the sincere intention of the new government to work with Saudi Arabia  and that the Kingdom was Pakistan’s first and foremost strategic ally.

The Ambassador expressed these views in his remarks at a ceremony he hosted here at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia to commemorate the national day of Kingdom.

Prominent among those who attended the ceremony were Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ch. Fawad Hussain, Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Shahbaz Sharif, Raja Zafarul Haq, Chuadhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervez

Ilahi, Muhammad Mian Soomro, Sartaj Aziz and Maulana Tahir Ashrafi.

Ambassador Nawaf said Saudi-Pak relations were characterized by its strength and durability as those were deeply rooted since more than seven decades after the independence of Pakistan.

“These historical ties of strategic depth are based on the principle of brotherhood and religion,” he added.

Ambassador Nawaf said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia harbours extreme love and appreciation for the Pakistani nation, and similar love and appreciation exchange our brothers in Pakistan because the Kingdom has a special place in their hearts due to the existence of the two Holy Mosques.

“There are more than two and a half million Pakistan brothers living in the Kingdom and contributing in our revitalization and prosperity,” he added.

The Saudi Ambassador along with the guests cut a special cake to mark the national day of the Kingdom. A photo exhibition was also organized on the occasion. Traditional Saudi dance was also presented.