Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki hand over food packages during the launch of the third phase of the Food Security Support project by Saudi aid agency KSrelief, at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy: X/@KSAembassyPK)
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Updated 08 July 2025
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Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

  • Pakistan proposes joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency
  • It highlights commitment to climate-adaptive agriculture amid environmental degradation

KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to invest in agricultural research and storage infrastructure as part of a broader push for sustainable food security, according to an official statement.

The call was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad, following the launch ceremony of the third phase of the Saudi Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

“Rana Tanveer Hussain shared Pakistan’s long-term vision for achieving sustainable food security through investment in agricultural research, innovation and modernized farming systems,” said the statement circulated after the meeting.

“The Minister proposed deeper collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in key areas such as joint agricultural research, technological exchange and investment in food processing and storage infrastructure,” it added.

Hussain also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to improving irrigation practices and promoting climate-adaptive agriculture to address the growing challenges posed by environmental degradation.

He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agri-based projects, particularly in high-yield zones, and called for institutional cooperation between universities and research centers in both countries.

The minister also proposed joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency, describing them as high-impact areas for regional collaboration.

Earlier, he distributed food baskets to families under the Saudi Food Security Support Project and interacted with recipients.

Now in its third phase, the Saudi-backed initiative is delivering essential food supplies to thousands of households across Pakistan, providing much-needed relief amid climate-related challenges.


Pakistanis at remote border describe scramble to leave Iran

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Pakistanis at remote border describe scramble to leave Iran

  • Returning Pakistani nationals recount missile fire in Tehran, transport gridlock as people rush to exit Iran
  • PM Sharif condemns targeting of Iranian leader as embassies urge citizens to leave amid escalating strikes

TAFTANT, Pakistan: Pakistani nationals hauled suitcases across the border from neighboring Iran, describing missiles being launched and travel chaos as they scrambled to leave the country after the US and Israel launched strikes over the weekend.

AFP journalists saw a steady trickle of people passing through large metal gates at the remote border crossing between Iran’s Mirjaveh and Taftan in Pakistan’s western Balochistan province.

Powerful explosions have rocked Iran’s capital Tehran since Saturday, with embassies from countries around the world telling their citizens to leave.

“All our Pakistani brothers who were in Tehran and other cities had started to leave and were arriving at the terminal, which caused a lot of crowd pressure,” 38-year-old trader Ameer Muhammad told AFP on Monday.

“Due to the crowds, there were major transport problems.”

The isolated Taftan border lies around 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Balochistan’s capital and largest city, Quetta.

AFP journalists saw the Iranian flag flying at half-mast as soldiers stood guard.

Most people wheeled bulky luggage over the frontier’s foot crossing, while freight lorries formed a long line.

Irshad Ahmed, a 49-year-old pilgrim, told AFP he was staying at a hostel in Tehran when he saw missiles being fired nearby.

“There was an army base near the hostel, and we saw many missiles being fired,” he said.

“After that, we went to the Pakistani embassy so that they could evacuate us from there. They brought us here safely.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was a “violation” of international law.

“It is an age old convention that the Heads of State/Government should not be targeted,” Sharif wrote on X.

The “people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend the most sincere condolences on the martyrdom” of Khamenei, he added.

A teacher at Tehran’s Pakistani embassy, who gave his name as Saqib, told AFP: “Before we left, the situation was normal. The situation was not that bad.”

The 38-year-old said the strikes on Tehran on Saturday “pushed us to leave the city.”

“The situation became bad on Saturday night, when attacks caused precious lives to be lost,” he said.