ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday he had opened a “full scale” enquiry into the country’s embassy and ambassador in Riyadh over what he called their failure to adequately take care of Pakistani workers based in Saudi Arabia, while the foreign office said Khan has recalled Islamabad’s envoy in Riyadh.
During the current fiscal year, Saudi Arabia remained the single largest contributor to workers’ remittances by sending in $690.4 million in March. The overall inflow from the kingdom during the fiscal year amounted to $5.7 billion followed by the UAE with $4.5 billion. There are over two million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia.
“I say this with sorrow that our embassy, the way they should appreciate these hardworking people, who put their sweat and blood into their work, and I know that these poor people sometimes work 12 hours a day, do extra shifts, save money to send to their families,” the prime minister said while addressing an event in Islamabad. “I found out that in Saudi Arabia, our embassy, did not give them the service, the way they should have taken care of our labor in Saudi, they did not do that.”
He added:
“Yesterday I set up a full-scale enquiry on this. I am opening an enquiry into the ambassador. I am recalling a lot of staff back to Pakistan. And when the enquiry’s results come, whoever is responsible, whoever mistreated our labor … I will take action against all of them.”
Khan praised Pakistanis abroad for always supporting Pakistan’s economy.
“Overseas Pakistanis have, over the years, kept our economy afloat,” he said, adding that he had been in touch with overseas Pakistanis for the past 50 years, since his cricketing days.
In a message to Pakistani embassies around the world, Khan said their “most important duty” was to look after the affairs of Pakistani laborers.
“The Prime Minister has recalled Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ijaz,” the foreign office spokesperson said at a weekly briefing. “Six Pakistani diplomats have also been recalled from Saudi Arabia. A high-level inquiry is underway.”
It added: “The Pakistani government attaches importance to the welfare of Pakistanis abroad. Pakistani missions around the world have instructions to support the Pakistani community. The recent statement of the prime minister will be fully implemented. A high-level inquiry committee is being formed to look into the matter.”
PM Khan recalls envoy to Saudi Arabia over inadequate support to overseas Pakistanis
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PM Khan recalls envoy to Saudi Arabia over inadequate support to overseas Pakistanis
- Says has opened “full-scale” inquiry into complaints embassy, ambassador did not take proper care of affairs of Pakistani workers
- In message to Pakistani embassies around the world, Khan says their “most important duty” was looking after overseas community
Islamabad, Abu Dhabi resolve to deepen cooperation as UAE minister arrives in Pakistan
- UAE’s Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nayhan bin Mubarak Al Nayhan arrives in southern Khairpur city
- Al Nayhan meets Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, discuss joint initiatives, bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan on Wednesday discussed deepening bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest between the two states, the Pakistani interior ministry said.
The two officials met and held talks when Al Nayhan arrived in Pakistan’s southern Khairpur city, the interior ministry said. Both leaders jointly cut a cake to mark the UAE’s National Day, which is celebrated on Dec. 2 every year.
“During the meeting, there was a detailed discussion on further strengthening bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, matters of mutual interest and joint initiatives,” the interior ministry said.
Naqvi observed that the brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE are based on mutual trust, respect and long-standing friendship.
The Pakistani minister also noted that both countries remain firmly committed to further strengthening these ties, the statement said.
Pakistan considers the UAE a vital regional ally, with the Gulf nation being Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US.
It is also a major source of foreign investment for the South Asian country, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s ministry of foreign affairs.
