JEDDAH: The 77th anniversary of Pakistan Day was celebrated at Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan’s residence on Thursday via a flag hoisting ceremony.
In his speech, the diplomat expressed contentment that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a strong cordial bond based on mutual trust and respect. He said he strongly believes that the nations have stood by each other in taxing times.
Khan also shed light on Pakistan’s economic progress and highlighted that GDP growth was 4.7 percent in 2015-16 and is expected to go up to 5.2 percent in 2017-18.
He praised the role of Pakistani expats for sending remittances and assisting in reaching an all-time high of $24 billion in foreign reserves and termed the Sino-Pak economic corridor as a game-changing project which is expected to transform the economic condition of Pakistan.
Khan appreciated the Saudi government’s amnesty scheme for expats and also discussed the new online procedures for visas, which should make it easier for compatriots to travel between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Saeed Sarwar, head of chancery, and Shaiq Bhutto, consul, read aloud special messages from Pakistan’s president and prime minister.