Pakistan’s religious affairs minister congratulates Saudi Arabia on 93rd National Day, reaffirms strong ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interim religious affairs minister, Aneeq Ahmed, congratulated Saudi Arabia’s leadership on the 93rd National Day of the kingdom, expressing his desire for continued friendly bilateral relations in a statement issued on Thursday.
The two countries have enjoyed close defense, diplomatic and trade relations for decades before setting up the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council two years ago to further bolster their ties and provide them a strategic direction.
With over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates residing in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom has also played a crucial role in facilitating remittances and oil supply to the South Asian state.
Additionally, it helped successive administrations in Islamabad deal financial challenges and played a key role in getting an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package approved for the country by depositing $3 billion in Pakistan’s central bank.
“On the occasion of the 93rd National Day of Saudi Arabia, I offer my heartiest congratulations to the King of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” Ahmed was quoted as saying by a statement issued by his team.
The Pakistani minister is currently on a week-long visit to the kingdom to meet Saudi officials and representatives of Hajj catering and accommodation companies to finalize arrangements for next year’s annual Hajj pilgrimage.
“We are happy that 2.7 million Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia are also participating in the construction and development of the kingdom,” he said. “Every citizen inherits love for their country, but Saudi Arabia is a unique country in the sense that Muslims living in all corners of the world, along with Saudi citizens, have a special attachment to it and its citizens.”
Ahmed added that Saudi Arabia had rapidly progressed since its establishment and had achieved “remarkable” development, particularly during the reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He particularly lauded Vision 2030 program, a governmental initiative to strengthen various economic sectors and reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil to generate its revenue.
“I am praying for the continuation of cordial relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and for the development and stability of the kingdom, and I once again congratulate them on the Saudi National Day on September 23,” the minister said.
Saudi National Day, known as Al-Yaom-ul-Watany, brings together both nationals and expatriates residing in Saudi Arabia to commemorate the journey of transformation that it has undertaken over the years.