Saud Al-Shakhi, general manager of the Ministry of Information and Culture’s Makkah branch, and Abdullah bin Mohammed Aloiyan, general manager of the Labor Ministry’s Jeddah branch, visited Pakistan Consul General Aftab Khokher’s residence on the occasion of Saudi National Day.
Celebrations and talks of mutual cooperation took place on Thursday.
“We are honored that the Pakistani Consulate celebrated our National Day at the residence of the Pakistan Consul General. I would like to extend our gratitude on behalf of the Saudi government, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of the Makkah region and Prince Mish’al bin Majed, governor of Jeddah. We have very strong and brotherly relations between the two countries, which work hand in hand for the security and progress of the two countries,” said Al-Shakhi.
Other dignitaries included Mohammed M. Al-Juhani, honorary consul of the Republic of Congo, Anwar Ashaqi, chief of a strategic think tank center, Talal Abdullah Samarkandi from the JCCI, diplomats and community members.
Khokhar welcomed guests and extended his appreciation to the government and people of the Kingdom from the government and people of Pakistan on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 83rd National Day.
“This is also a day of happiness for the people and the government of Pakistan, as well as for Pakistanis living in the kingdom. We join in celebrations on this historic day, along with the people, the royal family and the government of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“We are two sides of the same coin and as such, we share in each other’s happiness and pain. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan’s statement that ‘Saudi Arabia’s security is a red line for Pakistan’ is a manifestation of this important relationship,” he said.
“National Day reminds us of the unification of Saudi Arabia by the late King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud under the banner of the green flag. The Kingdom is working under the strong and wise leadership of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in the interest of Saudi nationals and residents under Adil Fakieh, minister of labor, and the JCCI,” he said.
He also offered condolences on the earthquake that recently struck Pakistan.
Anwar Ashaqi said that the security of the two countries are interrelated and that the strategic relationship between the two countries is strong.
Terrorism, he said, does not come from inside Pakistan.
Mohammed Aljuhani also said that the two countries enjoy excellent relations.
Tawqeer Hyder and Riyaz Kaifi recited poems on Saudi Arabia.
New heights of Pak-Saudi relations celebrated
New heights of Pak-Saudi relations celebrated
Najran farmers find sugarcane cultivation viable, promising lucrative economic returns
NAJRAN: Farmers in Saudi Arabia's southwestern region of Najran have found that sugarcane production is a viable enterprise, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.
One farmer, Ibrahim Shakwan, confirmed to SPA the success of his 7.3-hectares sugarcane farm and noted "growing regional interest due to its high productivity and lucrative economic returns."
Najran has been chosen as a trial area for sugarcane production owing to the temperate climate, diverse soils, and abundant water resources in its mountainous parts. The experiment were in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which calls for enhancing food security and self-sufficiency.
Others regions in the Kingdom's southwest, such as Jazan, Asir and Baha, have similar features as Najran.
Sugarcane is easily propagated via cuttings that yield a high number of plantable pieces. Planting occurs primarily in the summer, although seedlings can be planted year-round.
Effective cultivation methods include selecting disease-resistant varieties, proper soil preparation, and balanced irrigation and fertilization, according to the report.
The crop is harvested approximately eight months after planting, with fertilization ending three months before and irrigation ceasing 20 days prior to harvest to boost sugar concentration and improve juice quality, which is rich in natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals.
Several countries in the Middle East have long been growing sugarcane, with Egypt and Iran as key producers.
Botanists believe sugarcane was first cultivated 10,000 years ago in what is now New Guinea in the southwest Pacific Ocean, where the environment is humid, according to an article titled Sugar Please, published in the Aramcoworld magazine in 2012.
