RIYADH: Pakistani expats considered Saudi Arabia to be “their second home,” Raja Ali Ejaz, Pakistan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, told Tabuk Governor Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz during a meeting in Tabuk on Monday.
Conveying his thanks to King Salman and the governor for the honor and respect shown toward the Pakistani community living in the Kingdom and Tabuk region, the envoy said: “Pakistani expatriates consider the Kingdom as their second home.”
Pakistan Embassy officials told Arab News that during his visit to the region, Ejaz met with members of the Pakistani expat community, assuring them of embassy support and urging them to abide by local laws and regulations.
“You are the ambassadors of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia and your contributions in the development of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are valued by both countries,” he said.
The ambassador added that long-standing relations between the two countries had “stood the test of time” and were “getting stronger with every passing day.”
During their get-together, Prince Fahd noted Saudi Arabia’s appreciation of the contributions made by Pakistanis toward economic development in the Kingdom and the Tabuk region in particular.
The governor also acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s religious and cultural ties with the Kingdom.
Earlier, commenting on Saudi-Pakistan relations, Ejaz told Arab News that bilateral links between the two countries remained strong.
“We have more than 2.2 million Pakistanis in the Kingdom. Pakistan’s prime minister has visited Saudi Arabia four times in less than a year and the Saudi crown prince also paid a visit to Pakistan last year which shows the strength of our cordial relations.”
Saudi Arabia is ‘second home’ to Pakistani expats – Envoy
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Saudi Arabia is ‘second home’ to Pakistani expats – Envoy
- 2.2 million Pakistanis live in the Kingdom
- Tabuk governor noted Saudi Arabia’s appreciation of the contributions made by Pakistanis to its economic development
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to enhance cooperation in energy, mineral sectors
- In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors
- Both sides reaffirm commitment to enhance partnership and promote mutually beneficial investments
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance cooperation in energy and mineral sectors, the Pakistani information ministry said on Friday, as the two sides seek to deepen economic ties and promote joint investment.
The development comes weeks after Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh that saw participation from 13 public and private Pakistani firms.
Pakistan petroleum ministry said Alkhorayef had pointed out “vast opportunities” for cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the minerals sector, adding that the Kingdom would support the development of Pakistan’s mining industry through its knowledge and technical expertise.
On Friday, Malik held a meeting with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, to discuss areas of mutual cooperation and further strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, according to the information ministry.
“Both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored new avenues for cooperation, particularly in the energy and minerals sectors,” it said in a statement. “They reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic partnership and promoting mutually beneficial investment opportunities.”
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors and accelerated investments in green technologies, sustainable mining practices and international collaborations that are shaping the future of the mines and mineral industry.
Pakistan, on the other hand, organized a minerals summit in April 2025 that saw participation from major international companies, including the Canada-based Barrick Gold and officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, China, Türkiye, UK, Azerbaijan and other nations.
Malik expressed confidence that longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would translate into tangible outcomes, fostering investment, technology exchange, and sustainable development initiatives for mutual benefit.
Ambassador Al-Malki appreciated Pakistan’s active participation in the Future Minerals Forum, which offered significant opportunities for regional collaboration, according to the statement.
“Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to further strengthen economic and strategic cooperation in the coming period,” the information ministry added.
