ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s new Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji has expressed his resolve to play an active role in strengthening the Kingdom’s bilateral relations with Pakistan, said the Pakistani envoy in Riyadh, Raja Ali Ejaz, who met the Saudi official earlier in the day.

“The Saudi minister assured that the Pak-Saudi relations were strong, the kingdom always stood by Pakistan, and relations will further strengthen in the future,” Ejaz told Arab News on the phone. “He also assured that his office will play active and positive role in enhancing bilateral relations.”

“Our relations were never in trouble and remain strong,” he added. “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are working with each other like brothers. The Saudis have always supported us.”

The Pakistani ambassador congratulated the deputy foreign minister on his appointment to his office.

He said that matters of mutual interest came under discussion during the meeting.

“We talked about progress in bilateral agreements signed between the two countries during Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan in February last year. Both sides agreed to expedite work on Saudi investment projects soon after COVID-19,” he continued.

The Pakistani ambassador maintained that “Saudi Arabia’s clear support on Kashmir in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was very vital. The Kingdom has played a very positive role in the OIC.”

He said that both sides also discussed ways to facilitate the return of Pakistani laborers to the Kingdom after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Pakistani ambassador, Javed Hafeez, said that the two countries had further enhanced their official engagements in recent days.

“The two nations have common vision for the security of the Kingdom and the rest of the region,” Hafeez told Arab News, adding that it was not just a bond between two governments but also the peoples of the two countries.

“We have economic, labor and commercial interests associated with the Kingdom,” he said. “We have a long and thriving relationship that spans several decades. It should continue to be nurtured to benefit the two countries and their people.”