JEDDAH: Diplomats and other guests gathered on Wednesday for a celebration of the 78th National Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the country’s enduring relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The event, in the Crystal ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Jeddah, was hosted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Khan Hasham Bin Saddique, and Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan. The guests included diplomats from several nations, representatives from the military, and figures from the business world.
The festivities began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, followed by speeches from the consul general and the ambassador highlighting social and economic development in Saudi Arabia, and the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
“Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been strategic partners for many decades, and our friendship has bonded in various international and regional matters, in faith, shared values and culture,” Saddique told Arab News.
He added that the leadership of both countries are working to further improve their partnership to make it more robust and diverse.
Both the ambassador and consul general also expressed their admiration for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s initiative, Saudi Vision 2030.
“I think Saudi Arabia is destined to become an economic powerhouse,” said Saddique.
Khan added: “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a visionary person. He is bringing in all these new projects for the betterment of the Saudi people and their well-being, and of the Islamic world. Pakistan fully supports it.
“We have had the best of relationships with Saudi Arabia ever since Pakistan came into existence in 1947.
There has not been a time where Saudi Arabia has not helped us when we were in need of help, and there has not been a time where Saudi Arabia has called us and we were not there with them, at any level, may it be diplomatic, political or defense — we stand with Saudi Arabia.”
The event also celebrated Pakistan’s wider diplomatic ties.
“I want to congratulate Pakistan on this occasion,” said Italian Consul General Elisabetta Martini. “The consul general of Pakistan is such an important figure here in Jeddah, where they have one of the biggest communities. I know for Pakistan,
Jeddah is their biggest diplomatic mission in the world.
“It’s a very complicated and difficult task my colleague is performing in the best way — I wish him all the best.”
US Consul General Matthias Mitman also congratulated his Pakistani colleagues.
“I’m glad I could come and participate in it,” Mitman said.
VIPs celebrate Pakistan’s National Day in Jeddah
VIPs celebrate Pakistan’s National Day in Jeddah
Korean Embassy uses cinema to bridge borders and strengthen Saudi ties
- Saudi Arabia and Korea have maintained a longstanding relationship that spans more than 60 years, with diplomatic relations beginning in 1962
RIYADH: The Korean Embassy in Riyadh hosted a Korean movie screening at the Cultural Palace on Friday to further Saudi-Korean understanding and enhance soft power through film.
“Film can contain lots of content and messages and culture and way of thinking and how the country lives,” Park So-yeon, consul and second secretary, told Arab News.
“To understand (Korea) much better, even without even going there, we can see the movie or drama,” she added.
“With one movie, it would be a very good way to see Korea, that is why I chose a movie,” she said.
Saudi Arabia and Korea have maintained a longstanding relationship that spans more than 60 years, with diplomatic relations beginning in 1962 when King Saud bin Abdulaziz and Korean President Park Chung-hee signed an agreement.
Since then, cooperation in soft power has flourished, with tourism, education, and cultural partnerships in film and drama expanding.
“The cultural cooperation started a few years ago between Saudi Arabia and Korea and amount the aspects the movie cooperation is the most lively part,” Park said.
Park said that major entertainment companies are expanding into the region and setting up headquarters in Riyadh.
“CG ENM, which is the entertainment Korean company, established regional headquarters in Riyadh in August.”
Park said that she hopes to host more film and cultural events in the new year as more Korean content and production companies make their way to the Kingdom.
The film selected for the screening was “Tunnel,” which features a man driving home for his daughter’s birthday when a tunnel collapses, trapping him inside his vehicle for days.
The consul explained how the selected film features themes of family, perseverance, and teamwork.
“It would be good for families and friends in Saudi Arabia to end this year thinking about family and life, that’s why I chose this movie for this event,” Park said.
The event also features activity stations where guests can customize key rings with charms, with all materials having been shipped directly from Korea for the occasion.
