Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Islamabad celebrates ‘precious’ Pakistan Independence Day

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki (center), gestures for a group photo with officials and staff members at the Saudi embassy in Islamabad on August 17, 2023, to mark Pakistan's Independence Day celebration. (Photo courtesy: Saudi embassy)
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Updated 18 August 2023
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Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Islamabad celebrates ‘precious’ Pakistan Independence Day

  • Saudi Embassy in Islamabad held a cake-cutting ceremony, distributed goody bags among Pakistani employees 
  • Kingdom’s envoy to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki says event was equally enjoyed by Saudis and Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Islamabad this week held the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations to further strengthen brotherly ties between the two countries and their peoples.

The event manifested the enduring political, cultural, economic, and defense relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom, home to over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, is a vital source of remittances and oil supply to the South Asian country.

In a pivotal gesture, Saudi Arabia assisted Pakistan by depositing $3 billion in the country’s central bank in June, averting a sovereign default and securing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout deal.

“We celebrated Pakistan's Independence Day with our local brothers at the embassy,” Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, wrote on the X messaging platform Thursday.

“On this occasion, a function was organized by the media attaché at the embassy. It was a precious day for us as it was for our brothers in Pakistan.”

Al-Malki shared a celebratory video of the event along with his post, capturing the festive spirit of the occasion that included a cake-cutting ceremony and distribution of goody bags among the Pakistani staff at the embassy.

The Saudi ambassador this week held discussions with Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, with the two figures exploring potential collaborations across various sectors like energy, infrastructure, agriculture, IT, and manpower.

PM Kakar lauded Saudi Arabia's steadfast support for Pakistan's development and requested further facilitation for the significant Pakistani workforce in the Kingdom.

Earlier this month, a delegation from Saudi Arabia also arrived in Pakistan to explore investment opportunities in the mining sector, aiming to tap into Pakistan's $6 trillion worth of mineral deposits.

The Saudi delegation attended Pakistan's first dedicated summit on minerals in Islamabad. The summit was organized under the umbrella of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), set up by Pakistan in June to attract foreign investment, particularly from Gulf countries. 


Government says Imran Khan’s ‘detailed’ medical report shared, family disputes claim

Updated 57 min 16 sec ago
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Government says Imran Khan’s ‘detailed’ medical report shared, family disputes claim

  • Khan underwent an eye procedure last month, PTI says family was not informed
  • Ex-PM’s sister says only brief notes provided despite Supreme Court assurance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government said on Friday a “detailed” medical report of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan had been shared with his family following directions from the prime minister’s office, even as Khan’s relatives disputed the claim and accused jail authorities of withholding information.

Concerns over Khan’s health were raised by his family and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last month after the government confirmed he was taken from prison to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a brief eye procedure. Authorities said at the time that Khan’s condition was stable and the treatment routine, while PTI leaders said they were not informed in advance and questioned the lack of transparent medical disclosure.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the report was prepared by PIMS and had been forwarded to the prison authorities and handed over to Khan’s family.

“A letter was written by the Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister and PTI Leaders also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding medical check up of Mr. Imran Ahmad [Khan] Niazi who is serving his sentences in Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala),” he said in a social media post on X.

“On directions from Prime Minister’s Office, a detailed report has been sent by Executive Director PIMS Hospital to the Superintendent of Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala) which has been handed over to the family,” he added.

 

However, the former prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan said they had not received complete medical reports, despite assurances given by the country’s top judge.

“The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court committed last Friday that Imran Khan’s medical reports would be provided to his family,” she said on X. “Today, when the jail superintendent appeared before the ATC [Anti-Terrorism Court], only two brief notes were submitted.”

She said the government’s conduct reflected a disregard for the court’s order, urging the Chief Justice of Pakistan to issue a contempt notice to the jail authorities and ensure that Khan’s medical reports were handed over to his family without further delay.

The dispute has renewed tensions surrounding Khan’s incarceration, which has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s deeply polarized politics. 

Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been in prison since August 2023 following multiple convictions that he and his party say are politically motivated, a charge the government denies.