ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Pakistan said on Sunday it had held an exhibition in Pakistan’s cultural heart of Lahore to celebrate the Kingdom’s 94th National Day.
The Saudi National Day is celebrated each year on September 23 to commemorate the proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 by King Abdulaziz.
The Saudi National Day event in Lahore included an exhibition of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, which was attended by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan and other dignitaries.
“Pakistani brothers showed their presence and feelings of love with us [at the event],” the Saudi embassy said on X.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong economic, defense and religious ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Saudi Arabia has also often come to cash-strapped Pakistan’s aid by regularly providing it oil on deferred payments and offering direct financial support to help stabilize its economy and shore up its forex reserves.
“Saudi Arabia supported Pakistan in difficult circumstances and stood by Pakistan in every hour of need,” Governor Khan said, highlighting the strong ties between the two counties.
Saudi embassy holds cultural exhibition in Lahore to mark Kingdom’s 94th National Day
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Saudi embassy holds cultural exhibition in Lahore to mark Kingdom’s 94th National Day
- The Saudi National Day is celebrated each year on September 23 to commemorate the proclamation of the Kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz
- The Lahore event was attended by Saudi ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan and other dignitaries
Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media
- Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of ISKP, used to head its Al Azzam media outlet, says state media
- Azzam was arrested in May while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sultan Aziz Azzam, the head of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP’s media outlet, state media reported on Thursday citing intelligence sources.
The state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported that Azzam was a senior member of ISKP and hailed from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. As per the state media report, he is also a graduate of the University of Nangarhar where he studied Islamic jurisprudence.
Pakistan TV Digital reported Azzam joined ISKP in 2016 and later became a prominent member of its leadership council.
“He was arrested in May 2025 while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing intelligence sources.
“He is believed to have overseen media operations and headed ISKP’s Al Azzam media outlet.”
In November 2021, Washington listed Azzam as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). The move bars American citizens from engaging in transactions with persons designated as SDGTs.
According to a report on the UN Security Council’s website, Azzam has played an “instrumental role” in spreading Daesh’s violent ideology, glorifying and justifying “terrorist acts.”
“Building on his former experience as an Afghan journalist, his activity as ISIL-K’s spokesperson has increased ISIL-K’s visibility and influence among its followers,” the report states.
The report further states Azzam claimed responsibility on behalf of Daesh for the suicide attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members and injured 150 more.
The development takes place amid tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad alleging militants use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.
Tensions surged in October when Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fierce border clashes, claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers of the other side.
Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban-led government to take “decisive action” against militants it says operate from its soil. Afghanistan says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges.
