We are living in challenging times, as the contemporary global geopolitical landscape remains highly complex and uncertain. Peace and stability remain elusive across large swaths of the world.
The era of perpetual violence triggered in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks shows no signs of abating anytime soon. The world is beset with numerous conflicts resulting in unprecedented human tragedy and socioeconomic problems of epic proportions.
Many Muslim countries are especially affected due to the proximity of these simmering disputes. In the backdrop of this strategic flux, both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have stood by each other steadfastly. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the leadership in Pakistan continue to make untiring efforts to promote peace and stability across the world in general and the region in particular.
As we mark 70 years of independence, we are proud that despite some challenging times Pakistan is well on the road to progress and prosperity. From a very humble beginning, we now occupy an important place in the comity of nations arguably one of the leading Muslim states in the world.
Pakistan has successfully spearheaded the campaign against terrorism for over a decade now. Our valiant armed forces and law-enforcement personnel have proven their courage and sagacity.
The general population across the length and breadth of the country too has been resolute and brave to counter the menace. Nearly 60,000 Pakistanis have embraced martyrdom while the loss to national economy runs into billions of dollars. As a nation, we stand at the cusp where flushing out of the remnants of these brutal elements is nearing completion. Let no one doubt our quest and sincerity for lasting peace and stability in the region particularly in our neighborhood.
We shall continue to partake in international efforts to bring about peace and value their assistance to restore normalcy in Pakistan.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relations are rooted in history as the two countries signed a treaty of friendship back in 1951, laying the basis for cooperation. We are bonded in strong fraternal relations, which reflect trust and common aspirations of the people.
Over the past several decades, the two sides have strengthened their brotherly relations in all fields. Both the countries staunchly support each other at international forums. The regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries is a clear manifestation of our valued ties with the Kingdom. The trend continues and in 2017 alone the prime minister of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia twice for an exchange of views at the highest level.
The bedrock of Pak-Saudi relations is indeed exceptional defense and security collaboration between the two countries. Decades-old ties are all encompassing which include training, joint exercises, high-level visits, maintenance support, port calls etc. A number of officers and men have benefited from the defense and security cooperation. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have also shared expertise and experience to combat terrorism and deal with extremism. The cooperation is expanding steadily exploring new vistas in the context of the emerging security paradigm.
Another indicator of the importance of Pak-Saudi relations is the highest regard by their nationals for each other. In fact, Pakistanis consider Saudi Arabia their second home. Saudi Arabia hosts some 2.6 million Pakistanis, most of whom are employed as technicians, semi-skilled and unskilled workers. There are many highly qualified doctors, engineers, financial advisers, IT experts and bankers who are highly respected for their professionalism. The Pakistani diaspora is proud to have made tremendous contributions to the development of Saudi Arabia over the past many years.
The funds remitted by these expatriates contribute significantly to our national economy. I am confident with the transformation of the Saudi economy as envisaged in Saudi Vision 2030, there will be more opportunities for qualified professionals from Pakistan.
Although the economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan remain strong, there is a considerable scope for expansion. The total bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia hovers around $2.5 billion.
Both countries have immense potential to increase trade significantly. Efforts are being made to improve trade by organizing regular trade shows, exhibitions, and exchange of business communities visits.
An aspect that needs serious attention is the level of investment despite promising opportunities. I am confident both the countries will utilize the Vision 2030 and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for mutual benefits.
I can anticipate a brighter future once the CPEC becomes operational, which could serve as a conduit to facilitate trade between Saudi Arabia and China. Public and private investments in export and industrial zones along the corridor would indeed be a boon.
Saudi Arabia is a revered destination for Pakistanis, as every year hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and Hajj. During 2016, Pakistan topped the list of Umrah pilgrims as around 1.4 million pilgrims from Pakistan visited the Kingdom.
The visitors greatly appreciate the top-class arrangements made by the Saudi government to facilitate the pilgrims.
We are also pleased to receive thousands of Saudi nationals wishing to visit Pakistan for different purposes, ranging from investment to tourism. Pakistan also offers one of the best quality and affordable medical facilities in the world to various foreign nationals including from Saudi Arabia.
Pak-Saudi relations are truly unique and unmatched that have withstood the test of time. The spiritual attachment to this holy land and high esteem accorded to the custodian of the two holy mosques by the people of Pakistan mean that the bond is concrete and eternal.
People of Pakistan remain indebted to the leadership of Saudi Arabia for their help in difficult times. Pakistan is committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. I, as the ambassador of Pakistan, hope to carry forward the mission of further strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia, especially in commerce and culture for the mutual benefit of our two peoples. May Allah bless the two nations with peace, prosperity and infinite bounties.
• The writer is the ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia.
Strategic partners in peace and development
Strategic partners in peace and development
Forecast of higher temperatures, rainfall in July and August in Saudi
- 1 C rise in central, northern and eastern regions
- Above-normal rain in south, west regions forecast
JEDDAH: Higher temperatures are expected in July and August in the central, northern and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Meteorology has announced.
In a seasonal forecast carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, the meteorology authority expects a rise of 1 degree Celsius in parts of Riyadh, Qassim and Hail, as well as the eastern and Northern Borders regions.
It is expected to peak in August with a rise of 1.2 degrees Celsius in Jouf, Tabuk, Qassim, Hail and the eastern regions.
The NCM has also forecast higher-than-normal rainfall in Najran, Jazan, Al-Baha, Asir, parts of Makkah and Madinah, southern Riyadh and the eastern regions, particularly in July and August.
The rest of the Kingdom is expected to have normal rainfall.
The Summer 2025 forecast, covering the months of June to August, is based on climatic conditions from 1991 to 2020, the SPA stated.
According to the report, the highest temperature was recorded in Jeddah in June 2010 at 52 degrees Celsius, while Al-Ahsa recorded 51.3 in July 2024.
Dammam and Al-Qaisumah in the eastern part of the Kingdom recorded August highs of 51 in 1998 and 2021.
For rainfall, the southwestern region of Jazan recorded the highest daily amount in August 2024 at 113 millimeters. It also held the record for July at 67.6 in 1995.
For the month of June, Sharurah, in the southern province of Najran, recorded the highest daily amount in June 1996 at 53.8.
Governor of Qassim praises heritage center for preserving region’s culture and history
- Prince Faisal bin Mishaal highlights the ways in which the Cultural Heritage Center helps boost national pride in the Kingdom’s historical and cultural identity
- He tours exhibits that showcase the region’s various historical eras and feature a wide range of treasures, including prehistoric and pre-Islamic artifacts
RIYADH: The governor of Qassim, Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, praised a cultural center on Wednesday for the work it is doing to preserve and showcase the region’s rich history and heritage.
During a tour of the Cultural Heritage Center in Qassim he saw displays devoted to various historical eras and learned about the methods used to preserve the region’s historical and cultural assets, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The prince highlighted the important role the facility plays in shining a light on the region’s cultural heritage, and showcasing key historical artifacts dating back as far as ancient times from sites closely linked to the history and evolution of the Saudi state.
The center, which is part of the regional branch of the Saudi Heritage Commission, has displays that showcase the different historical eras of the region and feature a wide range of exhibits, including prehistoric artifacts and pre-Islamic treasures.
One exhibition is dedicated to Islamic-era Qassim, others to historic pilgrimage routes, architectural heritage sites, and the region’s intangible cultural heritage. There is also an interactive room for children, and a handicrafts section.
Prince Faisal praised the work of the Heritage Commission and highlighted the ways in which its efforts contribute to national pride in the Kingdom’s heritage and its historical identity.
He was accompanied during his visit by Ibrahim Al-Mushaikih, director of the commission’s regional branch, and other officials.
Al-Mushaikih said the governor’s visit represented a significant step in the development of the facility. He invited people from all parts of Saudi society to pay a visit and see for themselves the comprehensive information it offers about Qassim’s archaeological and heritage sites through enjoyable experiences and interactive displays.
Saudi UN envoy demands global action to protect children in conflict zones, condemns Gaza violence
- Abdulaziz Alwasil denounces Israeli military operations in Gaza as ‘flagrant violation of international humanitarian law’
- He emphasizes Kingdom’s commitment to application of international legal instruments, including Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols
NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, called on Wednesday for urgent international action to protect children in conflict zones, warning that failure to do so would undermine efforts to build more stable and prosperous societies.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting convened to discuss the effects of armed conflicts on youngsters, Alwasil emphasized the importance of protecting children, describing it as a legal obligation and moral responsibility, particularly in nations affected by prolonged violence.
During the session, UN officials detailed an unprecedented surge in the number of grave violations against children during armed conflicts worldwide.
The meeting followed the publication of a devastating annual report by the UN secretary-general’s special representative for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba. It documented 41,370 grave violations against children during 2024, a 25 percent increase compared with the previous year, and the highest number since the UN’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism was established in 2005.
The verified abuses of children spanned 25 countries and included killings, maiming, recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of access to humanitarian assistance.
“This year marked a devastating new record,” Gamba told council members. “Behind these numbers are the shattered stories, dreams and futures of over 22,000 children.”
She cited a sharp increase in “compounded violations,” in which children were abducted, recruited and sexually abused, often simultaneously, in the context of deteriorating humanitarian crises.
Israel was responsible for the highest number of violations by a single country against children in 2024, the report stated.
Alwasil said: “As we approach the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1612, which established mechanisms for monitoring violations against children in armed conflict, the international community must focus on two priorities: We must break the cycle of violence and create an environment that rejects extremism and fosters resilience.”
The envoy expressed appreciation for Gamba’s work, and emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to the application of international legal instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. He stressed the shared responsibility of all parties for the protection of children and for efforts to address the root causes of armed violence.
Turning to the crisis in Gaza in particular, Alwasil sharply rebuked Israeli authorities over their military operations in the territory.
“What is happening in Gaza now is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and humanitarian values,” he said.
“Civilians live under constant bombardment and a suffocating blockade, facing systematic aggression by Israeli armed forces. This has led to the deaths of 55,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.”
The war has deprived more than 1 million children in Gaza of basic necessities, including food and medicine, Alwasil said. He called for immediate international action to end the conflict, protect vulnerable populations and hold accountable those responsible for violations.
“The Kingdom affirms that the protection of children in areas of armed conflict is a legal duty that cannot be shirked, and a moral responsibility that cannot be ignored,” he concluded.
“Saudi Arabia supports all UN efforts aimed at protecting civilians, and enhancing international cooperation to respond to the suffering of children affected by war, wherever they may be.”
Replacement of the kiswa that covers Holy Kaaba at Grand Mosque in Makkah begins
- A team of 154 skilled Saudi craftsmen will remove the old kiswa, detach its gilded elements, and install its replacement
- The cover is made up of 47 black-silk panels embroidered with 68 Quranic verses using 24-karat gold-plated silver threads, and weighs 1,415 kg
RIYADH: The annual ceremony to replace the kiswa, the embroidered, black-and-gold silk cloth that covers the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, began on Wednesday evening. It is a tradition that dates back more than a century.
The carefully coordinated process began with the removal of a section of the cloth measuring 6.35 meters by 3.33 meters that covered the Kaaba door.
The new kiswa is on its way to the Grand Mosque, accompanied by a comprehensive system of logistical and operational support, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A team of 154 skilled Saudi craftsmen will remove the old kiswa, detach its gilded elements, and install its replacement.
The cover is made up of 47 black-silk panels, intricately embroidered with 68 Quranic verses using 24-karat gold-plated silver threads. It weighs approximately 1,415 kilograms.
A total of 825 kilograms of silk, 410 kilograms of raw cotton, 120 kilograms of gold-plated silver thread and 60 kilograms of pure silver were used in the creation of the new kiswa. In addition, 54 gilded pieces were produced using eight specialized weaving machines at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa.
Franco-Saudi music week unites cultures in Jeddah
- French musicians and artists descend on the Kingdom’s second city
- Week-long festivities kicked off coinciding with World Music Day
JEDDAH: A week-long music festival is celebrating the rich artistic ties between France and Saudi Arabia through a series of talks, musical performances and jam sessions in Jeddah.
Having kicked off on World Music Day – June 21 – the Music Week in Jeddah: A Franco-Saudi Celebration runs until June 27 and is hosted by the French Embassy and consulate in Jeddah in partnership with the Alliance Francaise, Art Jameel, Call of Culture, Music Home, Sout Albalad and Siddharta Lounge.
One of the featured events was a DJ session by French artist SONGE at Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar on Tuesday. She told Arab News that through her music she aims “to break boundaries and create inclusive spaces where diverse voices and energies can connect.”
GUITARRAMA, the Ninth Artistic Music and Music Education Forum, hosted at Music Home on Monday, brought together a number of artists and experts.
It was spearheaded by Anouar Kablaoui, instructor at Music Home Higher Institute and founder of the forum.
Kablaoui said: “This ninth edition explores how the guitar, a traditionally Western instrument, is being reimagined within Arabic musical aesthetics, jazz vocabularies and local creative industries.”
The forum also featured Saudi jazz guitarist Aqeel Hussein, who reflected on his personal journey with jazz, beginning at an American university and continuing with his efforts to bring the genre into the Saudi musical landscape since 2004.
“This forum was an opportunity to share my story and the passion that drives me to keep performing and educating through jazz. It’s about showing how music can evolve when it crosses borders, while staying true to its roots,” Hussein told Arab News.
A performance by the student band Zakharef, formed by students of the University of Business and Technology, captured the spirit of the night. The band’s musical debut was a tribute to the Hijazi heritage and the historical charm of Jeddah’s Al-Balad, forming an emotional and lasting moment for both the performers and the audience.
Hayy Jameel is set to host an open jam session with French-Moroccan artist Karimouche on Thursday in collaboration with Hayy Sounds.
The performance promises a dynamic fusion of Eastern melodies, hip-hop, spoken word and beatbox — blending tradition and modernity in a truly global dialogue of sound.
Karimouche, the stage name of French Moroccan artist Karima Amarouche, told Arab News: “It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here.”
She is known for fusing rap, spoken word, and North African rhythms in songs that explore themes of identity and resistance. She revealed that her Hayy Jameel performance will feature songs from both her latest album “Folies Berberes” and earlier works.
She also shared how her collaboration with Saudi artist Roaa Lam began: “I saw her on Instagram. I listened and thought, ‘Wow, I love this artist. She’s amazing’.”
Karimouche is deeply committed to working with women in music, both in France and abroad. “It’s important for me. There’s a sense of female solidarity. It’s an honor for me to participate in the emancipation of women in music here, and to witness the growing freedom year after year. God willing, I hope to return every year.”
Reflecting on her time in Saudi Arabia so far, she said: “The music scene here is very rich. The collaboration with the all-female band Siham in Riyadh was magical. We created new pieces together and blended our styles. Now, the same is happening here with Roaa.”
Kosh spoke to Arab News about how he imitates instruments with his unique style of beatboxing.
He explained that his journey began in childhood: “When I was a kid, I played with toy cars and made sounds … that evolved into beatboxing.”
Over the years, his talents have taken him to major venues, including the Montreux Festival in France. He now mixes beatboxing with humor, spoken word and live music.
Roaa Lam, the Saudi oud player, told Arab News about how she perceives oud and music: “For me, it’s not composition — it’s emotional storytelling”
Representing Saudi Arabia in the international collaboration, Lam is a self-taught oud player, singer, and composer who brings authenticity and deep emotion to her music.
“I compose music and collaborate with other artists,” she said.
Lam spoke about one of her most meaningful projects: A piece called Kurd Al-Tha’alib (Kurd of the Foxes), which she composed using field recordings of women’s voices in a public garden in Jeddah, before their neighborhood was demolished.
“I used the musical mode ‘Kurd’ and named the piece after the neighborhood that was called Al-Tha’alib before it was torn down,” she said.
The piece was performed at the Feminist Festival in Berlin — a milestone in her growing international presence.
She also reflected on her musical journey: “I’ve been playing oud for about six years. I taught myself. I never studied in a music school — it’s all self-expression. That’s what music is to me.”
Music Week in Jeddah is a creative crossroads. Through the voices of artists, the festival highlights the richness of cultural exchange and the transformative power of music to build empathy, connection and beauty.
As Karimouche put it: “My heart is full. The people here are respectful, kind and creative. I’ve learned so much from the Saudi artists.”
The celebration will conclude on Friday with an energetic Open Mic Night at Hayy Jameel, hosted by Slow Moe and spotlighting the emerging Saudi rap scene. This finale aims to showcase the voices of local youth and their growing impact on the global hip-hop scene.
Reflecting on the celebrations, Larry Lamartiniere, managing director of Alliance Francaise de Djeddah, said: “Alliance Francaise de Djeddah is thrilled to celebrate La fete de la musique alongside its partners. It is an event that transcends borders and brings people together through the universal language of music.”
Mohammed Nehad, consul general of France in Jeddah, said the event is a “powerful symbol of the deepening friendship and cultural cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia,” adding that he hopes it will continue to “energize the local cultural scene in Jeddah.”
