ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Saudi Arabia, Lt. Gen. (r) Bilal Akbar met President Arif Alvi in Islamabad on Thursday and discussed matters related to the Saudi-Pak bilateral relationship.
The president congratulated the ambassador-designate on his appointment and expressed hope that “he would make concerted efforts for further strengthening bilateral economic and investment cooperation” between the two countries, said a statement issued by the president’s office.
Alvi also asked the ambassador-designate “to make all out efforts towards the exchange of high-level visits” between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
He added that Pakistan valued its ties with the kingdom and wanted to further strengthen bilateral relations with it.
“While emphasizing the need to facilitate Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia, the president asked the ambassador-designate to help address the issues being faced by the Pakistani community,” the statement continued.
Meanwhile, the country’s outgoing envoy, Raja Ali Ejaz, said in his farewell message on Thursday it was a matter of “great pride” for him to have served Pakistan “on a land of great significance.”
Raja Ali Ejaz, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia during an interview with Arab News at Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh on February 16, 2019. (AN photo/File)
In a statement, Ejaz thanked the Saudi government for taking care of the Pakistani nationals in the kingdom amid a global pandemic.
“I also congratulate the Saudi authorities for managing the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well and wish them best for a successful vaccination campaign,” he said in the farewell letter.
“I am handing over the charge of the office in very competent hands of Ambassador-designate Lt. Gen. (Retired) Bilal Akbar,” he continued while expressing hope that the new envoy would further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and continue to protect the interests of Pakistani community in the kingdom.
