On the auspicious occasion of the National Day of Pakistan, I wish to convey my deepest felicitation to all Pakistanis, particularly those who are residing in Saudi Arabia.
On this historic day in 1940, the Muslims of South Asia passed a resolution to establish a separate homeland for themselves where they could lead their lives according to their faith and aspirations.
The resolution provided a road map toward the creation of Pakistan under the heroic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Pakistan represents aspirations and ideals of our founding fathers.
Their vision was to establish a country where we all could lead our lives in accordance with the Islamic ideals of freedom, sovereignty, democracy, equality, justice, tolerance and non-discrimination.
Today these founding principles are legal and political foundation of Pakistan.
At the same time, the rights of minorities are fully respected and protected in the Constitution, which guarantees that all nationals are equal before the law.
Pakistan enjoys a special relationship with Saudi Arabia, based on the solid foundations of Islamic identity, common historical experiences and shared perceptions on all national and international issues.
Saudi Arabia is looked at with deep love and respect by the people of Pakistan because of the Harmain Sharifain as well as due its leadership role in the Muslim Ummah.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier, and the entire royal family are held in high esteem in Pakistan.
On this occasion, I also wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the vibrant and dynamic Pakistan community in the development and growth of Saudi Arabia.
Our community has served both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia with characteristic fervor, loyalty, commitment, diligence and dedication.
It is, in fact, the most unmistakable link between our two countries.
It is my belief that the members of Pakistan community will continue to contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as well as to Pakistan’s brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia, which is their second home.
The Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah, has always striven to provide best services to all those members of our industrious community.
We have launched several initiatives to outreach to them with a view to further improve our services at the Consulate.
I am grateful to our community for their cooperation and support for enabling us to succeed.
Let us pledge to redouble our efforts to further deepen the existing all weather and time tested relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Let us pray for the security and prosperity of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Long Live Pakistan.
Long Live Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Friendship.
— Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Consular General of Pakistan
Pakistan enjoys special relationship with KSA
Pakistan enjoys special relationship with KSA
Saudi traveler drives in search of the aurora
- ‘It felt like a dream,’ says 27-year-old Malik Al-Sultan after seeing the famed Northern Lights
JEDDAH: A Saudi adventurer has driven thousands of kilometers across continents in pursuit of one of the planet’s rarest natural spectacles.
Malik Al-Sultan set out from Riyadh in a modified Toyota Hilux, crossing Europe by road to reach northern Norway, where he witnessed the Northern Lights.
Auroras, or Northern Lights, are colorful and often delicate displays that occur when charged solar particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere, these shifting curtains of light are visible only during certain seasons.
“I love trying new experiences, seeking adventure, and facing challenges,” Al-Sultan told Arab News.
The idea of traveling long distances by car began in 2017 while Al-Sultan was in Switzerland with his family. “I saw a car there with a plate from one of the Gulf countries, and from that moment I was inspired,” he said.
Once his plans were complete, the destination was clear. “When everything was ready, I chose Norway.”
Al-Sultan, 27, is a university graduate and an employee who prefers simple travel. “I try to share my experience without exaggeration or change,” he said. “My goal is to visit as many countries as I can and share what I learn, what people need, and how much it costs.”
His journey took nearly three weeks of driving, with extended stops to explore several countries.
The route passed through Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkiye, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and finally Norway.
Along the way, Al-Sultan relied on ferry crossings between France and the UK and between Denmark and Norway, as well as for some travel within Norway.
Driving alone for long distances was challenging. “It was a bit tiring, but I took breaks to rest,” he said. Friends joined him on some stages during the trip.
Al-Sultan made only essential modifications to his 2020 Toyota Hilux 4x4. “I changed the tires and some consumable parts,” he said. For winter conditions in Norway, he used special snow tires with metal studs.
He said the vehicle was tested in difficult conditions — “especially in remote areas, high elevations, changing weather, and long distances.” Among the main challenges were “long distances and difficulty finding accommodation late at night.”
The Northern Lights are best seen in the night sky and far away from city lights. The aurora season usually begins in late September and lasts until late March. Even during this period, witnessing the phenomenon requires luck, and many aurora hunters return home disappointed.
Al-Sultan reached northern Norway near the city of Bodo, where he saw the Northern Lights earlier this month, close to the Rana area.
“It felt like a dream,” he said. “At first, I thought it was clouds or factory smoke reflecting light.”
The lights appeared in green and red, and remained visible for more than half an hour.
Reflecting on the experience, Al-Sultan said the journey taught him patience and self-reliance. “It showed me the value of endurance, trusting my own judgment, and making decisions independently,” he said. “I also discovered how to embrace and even enjoy challenges.”
During the trip, he was warmly hosted by families in different countries. People “were genuinely excited about my journey, and their enthusiasm grew even more when they learned I’m from Saudi Arabia,” he said. “They were also curious about the purpose of my journey and where I was headed.”
Despite the freezing temperatures during the trip, Al-Sultan chose to wear traditional Saudi attire.
“The thobe and shemagh are part of my identity, and I’m proud of them,” he said. “I feel most comfortable wearing them, so it was the natural choice.”
Al-Sultan added that this helped showcase “the true image of the Saudi citizen,” and he hoped he had represented his country positively.
His journey is far from over. “My next goal,” he said, “is to reach Iceland.”
