ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Monday discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties by way of increased cooperation in the fields of media and culture.
Shafqat Jalil, additional secretary in Pakistan’s Information Ministry, discussed with Saudi Culture and Information Minister Dr. Awad bin Saleh Al-Awad the importance of new media in the lives of youths, and exploring ways to tap into that.
“We have an independent and vibrant media, and in order to interact and engage with it — the Pakistani and Western mixture of it — we’d have to explore the entire gamut,” Jalil told Arab News.
“Our youths aren’t aware of the relationship we have with Saudi Arabia, and to take forward our relations it’s important to involve new media, be it Facebook, Western media, Twitter etc.,” he said.
“Media personalities from Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television (PTV) will be extended an invitation for Hajj.”
When asked about a tentative timeline for projects and media exchanges, Jalil said Al-Awad is keen to start but is waiting for Pakistan’s new government to settle in. Al-Awad accepted Jalil’s invitation to visit Pakistan.
On Saturday, Jalil called for the unconditional restoration of the internationally recognized Yemeni government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and the withdrawal of rebel forces from territories seized by them, including the capital Sanaa.
“Pakistan supports all efforts for peace in Yemen, and urged all parties to return to the negotiation table,” Jalil said.
Pakistani, Saudi officials discuss bolstering ties via new media
Pakistani, Saudi officials discuss bolstering ties via new media
- Saudi Minister expressed keenness to evolve Pak-Saudi relationship by way of media exchanges
China condemns Islamabad suicide blast, pledges support for Pakistan
- Suicide blast targeting imambargah in Pakistan’s capital this week killed at least 32, injured 150
- Chinese foreign ministry says Beijing supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national security, people
ISLAMABAD: China’s foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday condemned the Islamabad suicide bombing this week that killed 32 people and injured several others, expressing support for Pakistan in safeguarding its national security and protecting its people.
Officials confirmed at least 32 people were killed and 150 injured on Friday when a suicide blast targeted the Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque and imambargah in the Tarlai Kallan area located on Islamabad’s outskirts.
The blast occurred during Friday prayers, when mosques around the country are filled with worshippers. A regional Daesh affiliate said one of its members had targeted the mosque by detonating an explosive vest.
“China is deeply shocked by the deadly explosion in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and the heavy casualties it has inflicted,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s statement said.
“China strongly condemns the attack, opposes any form of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security and stability and protecting the safety of the people.”
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that law enforcement agencies carried out raids in the northwestern cities of Peshawar and Nowshera after the bombing. He said four of the facilitators of the attack were subsequently arrested.
“The main mastermind is related to Daesh, and he is now under our custody,” the minister said. “All the planning and training of this incident had been done by Daesh inside Afghanistan.”
Friday’s mosque blast was the deadliest in Islamabad since a 2008 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people and wounded more than 250.
In November 2025, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in the capital, killing 12 people.
Pakistan’s military and civilian government have long accused the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering militants on Afghan soil. Islamabad says these militants launch attacks from sanctuaries in Afghanistan against Pakistan.
Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected these allegations, accusing Islamabad of blaming Kabul for its security failings.
Pakistan also blames India for funding and supporting militants who launch these attacks against it. New Delhi has rejected these allegations from Islamabad.
