ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat in Saudi Arabia and expatriates this week welcomed and expressed support for the Saudi “Global Harmony Initiative,” stressing it would play a key role in fostering understanding and unity among diverse communities residing in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia unveiled its Global Harmony Initiative last week, which is aimed at celebrating the diverse nationalities and cultures of residents through exploring their lives, contributions and cultural integration. 

The initiative, a collaboration between the Quality of Life government program, Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Media, will feature events during Riyadh Season showcasing the cuisines, cultures, and heritage of countries like Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more.

Pakistanis are the second-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, with reportedly over 2.5 million living and working in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom remains the top source of remittances for the South Asian country. 

“The Global Harmony Initiative will play an important role in fostering understanding and unity among the diverse expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia,” Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News on Wednesday. 

Farooq noted the initiative offers a valuable platform, especially for the Pakistani community, to share its rich cultural heritage and highlight its significant contributions to the Kingdom.

“The Global Harmony Initiative is a significant step toward acknowledging the vital role expatriates play in Saudi society,” he added.

He said Pakistanis, as the second-largest expatriate group in the Kingdom, have a “unique opportunity” to highlight their professional achievements, family values and cultural integration. 

Farooq added that the Global Harmony Initiative not only promotes inclusivity but also strengthens the bonds between different communities to enhance the overall fabric of Saudi society.

He encouraged Pakistani expatriates to actively participate in the initiative and showcase their stories and contributions for a brighter, more harmonious future.

‘EXCELLENT STEP FORWARD’

Pakistani expatriates from all walks of life welcomed the initiative, saying it will provide them opportunities to engage with diverse cultures while also promoting their own.

“It is indeed a great initiative, as we will not only experience the diverse cultures of various expatriate communities but also have the chance to introduce the richness of Pakistani culture to others,” Muhammad Naveed, a Pakistani engineer in Riyadh, told Arab News.

He said the initiative would serve as a bridge to foster stronger ties between expatriates and the Saudi community.

“It is an excellent step forward and we are excited to become part of this during this Riyadh Season,” he said. 

Zainab Zahoor, a Pakistani expatriate who lives in Riyadh with her family, described the initiative as a wonderful opportunity for the community to connect and integrate with others. 

“As a Pakistani expatriate living in Riyadh, I believe the Global Harmony Initiative allows us to showcase the richness of Pakistani culture while building stronger connections with other expatriate groups and Saudi society,” she told Arab News.

Zahoor said the initiative creates a sense of unity and appreciation among diverse communities.

“It is now up to the Pakistani mission and community to fully utilize this opportunity to showcase our culture and highlight our contributions to Saudi society,” she said.

Muhammad Ahmed, a Pakistani who works for a multinational company in Jeddah, described the initiative as a “vital step” toward fostering mutual understanding.

“Saudi Arabia is home to millions of expatriates from various countries, with significant populations from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh,” Ahmed noted. 

“These communities can foster deeper connections as they share a common regional background and cultural ties from their home countries.”

He said the platform offers Pakistanis a chance to engage with other communities in the Kingdom so that they can build lasting relationships and promote a spirit of unity.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share strong trade, defense, and cultural ties. Both nations have been actively working to enhance bilateral trade and investment agreements. 

Recently, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to expedite a $5 billion investment package and private companies from both countries signed deals exceeding $2 billion during a visit by a Saudi business delegation to Islamabad earlier this month.