RIYADH: Pakistan has lent all support to Saudi Arabia while renewing its call for the solution to the regional conflicts in the Middle East, especially the crisis in war-torn Yemen and Syria, said Pakistan’s envoy to Saudi Arabia here on Sunday.
Speaking to Arab News on the occasion of Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day, Khan Hasham bin Saddique said Pakistan fully supports UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which refers to the legitimacy of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s government for peace and security in Yemen.
He said that Pakistan also opposed the overthrow of a legitimate president and his government by the Houthi militias.
“We call upon the warring factions in Yemen to resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue in line with the Yemeni National Dialogue and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative,” said the envoy.
In his wide-ranging interview, the ambassador gave an overview of the progressively growing Saudi-Pakistan relations. He also spoke about the regional conflicts in the Middle East, which have hampered all plans to restore peace and security in the region as well as in the extended neighborhood.
He said: “We support regional and international efforts for restoration of peace and stability in Yemen.”
He noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed outstanding bilateral relations. “While political and security relations between the two countries continue to scale new heights, I am of the view there is a considerable scope to expand commercial and cultural ties.”
The diplomat said: “I am hopeful with the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 and CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) in Pakistan both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will look to exploit huge investment opportunities...”
On regional issues, Saddique said that Pakistan as a matter of principle supports peaceful resolution of conflicts through negotiations. “On Syria, we call for protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, cessation of hostilities and violence by all sides,” he added.
He urged all parties “to exercise restraint and to ensure the safety of (Syrian) civilians.”
“Pakistan believes that solution to the Syrian crisis lies in a peaceful and inclusive process that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people, through a comprehensive political dialogue. We hope that all parties in Syria will act in accordance with the UN resolutions, fulfill their obligations, take the peace talks forward and launch political process,” he added.
On the Middle East peace process, he said: “Peace in the Middle East is of critical importance for global peace.”
“Pakistan has always supported the Palestine cause fully realizing the pain suffered by Palestinian brothers and sisters, as we feel that there are many similarities between the issues of Palestine and Kashmir,” he said.
Like Palestine, the Kashmir issue is one of the oldest unresolved issues on the UN agenda, he said.
Asked about the visit of Saudi and Pakistani officials, he said that the next meeting of the Pak-Saudi Joint Commission is scheduled in Islamabad later this year. From the Pakistani side, the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning to bring a business delegation to the Kingdom in October to study the Saudi market, he added.
He said that the magnitude of commodities traded between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is approximately $2.5 billion. Out of this, Pakistan’s exports to Saudi Arabia are worth about $0.5 billion. The total value of services traded between the two countries stands in the vicinity of $580 million, he added.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan enjoy very cordial relations: Envoy
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan enjoy very cordial relations: Envoy
Saudi teams shine at Formula 1 in Schools World Finals
- Over 450 young innovators from around the globe join together for the event in Dhahran
- Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track
RIYADH: Three Saudi teams have scooped awards at the 2024 Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals.
Over 450 students from gathered at Dhahran Expo from Nov. 23-26 for the competition, the first time it has been hosted in the Kingdom. The finalists emerged from an initial 29,000 schools worldwide.
The Clad team won the Enterprise Portfolio Award, while Oryx claimed Best Engineered Car and Shaheen took Best Application of Project Management.
Competitors worked in 55 teams to design, build and race miniature F1 cars on a 20-meter track. Those taking part were aged from nine to 19, one third of whom were female.
The competition reflects Aramco’s commitment to developing future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, otherwise known as Ithra, oversaw the Saudi teams’ preparation during a nine-month training period. Led by 37 experts from six specialized centers, the program focused on engineering, design and teamwork.
It has become a key platform for developing Saudi Arabia’s next generation of scientific talent and putting innovation firmly on the global stage.
At the 2023 World Finals in Singapore, Saudi teams won the Innovative Thinking, Women in Motorsport and Identity awards.
The Aramco Formula 1 in Schools World Finals offer young innovators an opportunity to shape Saudi Arabia's future creative industries.
The program follows a unified curriculum covering physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacturing, branding, graphic design, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategies.
Grand mufti of Saudi Arabia meets Pakistan’s Senate chair
- Al-Sheikh highlights role of Council of Senior Scholars on Islamic issues
- Council ‘keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region’
RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday received the chairperson of Pakistan’s senate at the presidential headquarters in Riyadh.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh met Yusuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by a delegation of members of the upper house in the Pakistani parliament.
Al-Sheikh, who is also chairperson of the Council of Senior Scholars, and president general of scientific research and ifta, highlighted the depth and distinguished brotherly Islamic relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He highlighted the significant role the Council of Senior Scholars performs in the Kingdom to explain Shariah rulings about issues that concern Muslims. It has issued more than 30,000 fatwas and 200 rulings.
The council is keen to promote moderation and combat extremism in the region, he added.
He said that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continue to serve the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, ensuring that visitors and pilgrims receive appropriate services.
Gilani expressed his happiness to visit Saudi Arabia, noting the great role the Kingdom is playing through its leadership as well as the ties it has developed with Pakistan on various issues.
The meeting was attended by the secretary-general of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed, and Shoura Council member Abdulrahman Al-Harbi.
New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability
- NCVC CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
- Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.
The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.
These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.
He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.
The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.
These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.
The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday
- Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
- Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers
RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.
Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.
Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.
The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.
Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.
Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.
