Cherishing Pakistan-Saudi long-standing ties

Shehryar Akbar Khan, Consul-General of Pakistan
Updated 23 March 2017
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Cherishing Pakistan-Saudi long-standing ties

On the auspicious occasion of the 77th National Day of Pakistan, I wish to convey my felicitations to all Pakistanis particularly those who are living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I also take this opportunity to extend to them my best wishes for success in their future endeavours.
The creation of Pakistan is the result of a heroic struggle of the Muslims of South Asia for an independent homeland. The independence movement was effectively launched on March 23, 1940. Around seven years later, under the great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Muslims succeeded in achieving their objective — an independent homeland, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. An independent country was achieved without any war and practically by moral and intellectual force.
Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s economy has made significance progress toward strengthening macroeconomics, ensuring financial stability and all-inclusive growth, a fact that has also recently been acknowledged by global economic bodies.
Today, our country stands economically and financially stronger and it has been due to the concerted efforts of all segments of society, including Pakistani expatriates who play a vital role in this regard. I would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the vibrant and dynamic Pakistani community. Our community has served both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia with loyalty, commitment and dedication. These Pakistanis, in fact, serve as an important link between the two countries.
The Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah has always striven to provide the best services to all members of the Pakistani community. The consulate has also launched several initiatives to further improve its services. I am grateful to our community for their cooperation and support that has enabled us to succeed.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share common political, strategic and economic objectives. The relationship between the two countries is unique and rooted in history. Pakistan fully supports Saudi Vision 2030, which provides an insight into Saudi Arabia’s future endeavors. We hope that Pakistan will be able to offer an effective partnership to the Saudi government so as to help it realize its goals envisioned in Vision 2030.
Today, let us pledge to augment our efforts to further enrich the existing time-tested relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Let us pray for the security and prosperity of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Long live Pakistan.
Long live Pakistan-Saudi Arabia friendship.


Nazaha makes sweeping arrests for fraud cases worth more than $2.6m

Updated 02 February 2026
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Nazaha makes sweeping arrests for fraud cases worth more than $2.6m

  • Resident project manager working for a PIF company was arrested for receiving a payment of SR2.2 million in exchange for awarding contracts for renovation work
  • Employee working in the health sector was arrested after receiving SR500,000 in exchange for awarding two projects with a total value of SR384.3 million

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, made sweeping arrests of a number of public sector employees involved in fraud cases totaling more than SR10 million ($2.6 million), which were announced on Sunday evening.

A resident project manager working for a Public Investment Fund company was arrested for receiving a payment of SR2.2 million in exchange for awarding contracts for renovation work.

The payment was made by two citizens and a resident CEO of another company, who were also arrested.

An employee working in the health sector was arrested after receiving SR500,000 in exchange for awarding two projects with a total value of SR384.3 million.

Investigations revealed that the total agreed amount was SR10 million of which SR4.5 million had already been received from the CEO of the commercial entity, who was also arrested.

The employee distributed the money to the director of engineering affairs, the assistant director general of engineering affairs and the head of the bid evaluation committee at the same health affairs office.

All those involved were arrested, according to Nazaha.

Three employees working at the Civil Affairs Department were arrested for receiving SR850,000, paid in installments by a citizen who was also arrested. They had paid for illegally registering births and issuing national identity cards.

With the cooperation of the Ministry of Interior, a retired non-commissioned officer was arrested for embezzling SR2.2 million during his service at a police station.

The funds were taken from amounts seized in criminal cases.

A municipal employee was arrested after being caught receiving SR300,000 out of a promised SR800,000 in exchange for facilitating and completing procedures related to issuing permits and approving a planning sketch for a plot of land.

With the cooperation of the Ministry of Interior, a Civil Defense non-commissioned officer in one of the governorates was arrested for requesting money from commercial entities in exchange for refraining from issuing safety-violation fines.

With the cooperation of the Ministry of Interior, a police officer at a regional police station and two citizens were arrested for jointly stealing SR1.4 million from a resident.

A municipal employee was arrested for receiving SR20,000 from a citizen, who was also arrested, in exchange for facilitating the award of a municipal construction and development project, as he was a member of the bid evaluation committee.

An employee of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and a resident were arrested for receiving money from citizens in exchange for illegally opening files and updating livestock support eligibility through false livestock registrations.

A municipal employee in one of the regions was arrested for receiving money to illegally issue building permits and completion certificates, in coordination with a resident contractor who was also arrested.

An employee of a regional development authority was arrested for arranging the employment of his wife at a company contracted with the authority where he worked, allowing her to receive monthly salaries without performing any duties.

The spokesman of Nazaha in a post on X highlighted continuous efforts to pursue anyone who exploits public office to achieve personal gain or harm the public in any way.

They warned that accountability extends far beyond retirement— as the targeted crimes have no statute of limitations — and that the authority will continue to apply the law with no tolerance of corruption.