Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Pakistan, Saudi Arabia stress deepening of ties during Kingdom’s National Day celebrations in Islamabad 


Pakistan, Saudi Arabia stress deepening of ties during Kingdom’s National Day celebrations in Islamabad 

Pakistan's Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani (4th from R) and Saudi ambassador to Islamabad Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki (4th from L) pose for a group photo at the event of Saudi National Day in Saudi Arabia's embassy in Islamabad on Sep 23, 2022. (@SenatePakistan/Twitter)
Short Url

https://arab.news/99fn2

Updated 24 September 2022
Follow

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia stress deepening of ties during Kingdom’s National Day celebrations in Islamabad 

  • Sadiq Sanjrani among several officials and dignitaries attended the Saudi National Day event in Islamabad 
  • Pakistani politicians say Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic transformation is inspiring for the whole world 
Updated 24 September 2022
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Saudi officials on Friday stressed the deepening of bilateral ties as they participated in the Saudi National Day celebrations in Islamabad, with Pakistani politicians lauding the visionary leadership of Saudi Arabia for ensuring peace and prosperity as well as introducing modern technological and eco-friendly innovations under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. 

Pakistani politicians expressed these views at a ceremony arranged by the Kingdom’s embassy in Islamabad to celebrate the 92nd Saudi National Day, called Al-Youm Al-Watani in the Arabic language. Every year on September 23, Saudi Arabia commemorates the establishment of the Kingdom by its founder, King Abdulaziz Al-Saud, in 1932. 

Vision 2030 reform plan is a package of economic and social policies designed to free the Kingdom of its reliance on oil exports. Saudi Arabia is estimated to have mobilized around $500 billion to achieve the goals, including development of new cities, as part of the reform framework. 

Friday’s event in Islamabad was attended by a large number of Pakistani parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, dignitaries and senior military officials, who expressed their wishes for the prosperity of the Kingdom. 

“On behalf of the Senate and the people of Pakistan, I extend our heartfelt felicitation and best wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the people of the Kingdom on this national day,” Sanjrani said. 

“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a leader with a vision and his mission for progressive and modern ideas continues to inspire the youth. His initiative of multimillion-dollar city of Neom, his strategy and environmental efforts to combat climate change seem only the tip of the iceberg.” 

The Senate chief said the Kingdom holds a very important position for Muslims around the world as it was the sacred land of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). 

He lauded the efforts and initiatives taken by the Saudi leadership for continued improvement of services relating to the annual Hajj pilgrimage despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“This year, Hajj arrangements were unmatched as the crown prince introduced services for pilgrims through the use of information technology and other innovations,” Sanjrani said. 

He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always shared cordial ties and Islamabad will always extend its “unconditional support” to Riyadh. 

The immense support extended by the Kingdom to the flood-affected people in Pakistan was a testimony of the deep-rooted ties, the Senate chairman said. 

Saudi Arabia has so far sent five flights and 100 trucks carrying more than 950 tons of food and other relief items to Pakistan, while more relief consignments continue to arrive from the Kingdom. 

“Pakistan sincerely appreciates this brotherly gesture in such hard times,” he added. 

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, thanked the participants for celebrating the Saudi National Day and prayed for the prosperity of both countries. 

“On this happy occasion, I would like to mention the leadership is taking the Kingdom to prosperity… to a bright future under Vision 2030,” Al-Malki said. 

Speaking to Arab News, United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, congratulated Saudi Arabia on its national day and prayed for the Kingdom’s success. 

 

“We always pray for Saudi Arabia, for the leadership of Saudi Arabia, for the people of Saudi Arabia, for more progress,” Al-Zaabi said. 

Pakistani religious affairs minister, Mufti Abdul Shakoor, said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have brotherly ties and the whole Pakistani nation was happy on the Saudi National Day. 

“We congratulate the people of Saudi Arabia and pray that may Allah bless them with lasting peace and prosperity,” he told Arab News. 

“May Allah bless the whole Saudi nation, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the crown prince with more peace, progress and prosperity.” 

Former senator Sehar Kamran said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relations could not be summarized in words. 

“It’s a day to celebrate because the transformation that we see in Saudi Arabia, the socioeconomic reforms, is so inspiring not only for the people of Saudi Arabia but for everyone across the world,” she said. 

“It is such a beautiful bond that at all times of need both the countries turn together even now at this time of calamity, Saudi Arabia is standing with Pakistan.” 

Senior politician and lawmaker, Akhtar Mengal, said Saudi Arabia always stood with Pakistan in difficult times. “We hope that Saudi Arabia will always continue its support for Pakistan,” he told Arab News. 
 

Topics: Saudi National Day 2022 pak saudi ties Saudi Arabia Pakistan Chairman Senate Pakistan Sadiq Sanjrani

Pakistan launches first dematerialized ID card on silver jubilee of database authority 

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan launches first dematerialized ID card on silver jubilee of database authority 

  • Digital Pakistan initiative aims to expand knowledge-based economy, spur socio-economic growth using digital technologies
  • Pakistan has made considerable progress in its digital transformation journey with rapid expansion of mobile broadband networks 
Updated 7 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) marked its silver jubilee on Monday, launching the country’s first dematerialized ID card to commemorate 25 years in legal identity management and national database integration.

The launch of the new card is part of the government’s vision of a Digital Pakistan, where citizens will have digital certificates instead of material ID or, at least, in addition to material ones.

“Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi commended the launch of the dematerialized ID as a step toward digital identity,” NADRA said in a statement. 

“With the launch of this feature in the Pak ID Mobile Application, citizens will no longer need to carry physical ID cards. Moreover, digital verification systems will soon be implemented to facilitate authentication for various services under the World Bank-funded Digital Economy Enhancement Project.”

A pilot project for the fully digital identity will be launched on Aug. 14, 2025 to coincide with Pakistan’s Independence Day.

Pakistan has made considerable progress in its digital transformation journey with the rapid expansion of mobile broadband networks over the last decade. Today, nearly 80 percent of the adult population lives in areas served by mobile broadband (3G or 4G) networks, compared to 15 percent in 2010. But experts say more work must be done to ensure that connectivity reaches everyone, as only 22 percent of the population is subscribed to mobile Internet. 

To this end, Digital Pakistan is a flagship initiative of the government to expand the knowledge-based economy and spur socio-economic growth using digital technologies. 

“The vision with regards to Digital Pakistan Policy is to become a strategic enabler for an accelerated digitization ecosystem to expand the knowledge based economy and spur socio- economic growth,” according to a government policy document outlining the strategy.

Topics: NADRA

No Pakistani players on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team of the tournament

Updated 10 March 2025
Follow

No Pakistani players on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team of the tournament

  • India won ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Mar. 9 
  • Pakistan crashed out of home trophy without a win
Updated 10 March 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced its ‘Team of the Tournament’ for the Champions Trophy 2025, which concluded last week, with no Pakistani player making it on the prestigious list.

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy saw India being crowned as the winners on Mar. 9 after they overcame New Zealand in the final. Pakistan ended their campaign in the home trophy without a win.

“Several exceptional performers lit up the tournament with the bat and ball,” ICC said on its website. “The best of them made it to the Team of the Tournament.”

The team includes six players from India, four from New Zealand and two from Afghanistan.

Here’s what the side looks like:

1. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

251 runs, 62.75 average, two hundreds

2. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)

216 runs, 72 average, one hundred

3. Virat Kohli (India)

218 runs, 54.5 average, one hundred

4. Shreyas Iyer (India)

243 runs, 48.6 average, two fifties

5. KL Rahul (wk) (India)

140 runs, 140 average, 42 highest score*

6. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)

177 runs, 59 average, two wickets, five catches

7. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)

126 runs, 42 average, seven wickets, one five-wicket haul

8. Mitchell Santner (c) (New Zealand)

Nine wickets, 26.6 average, 4.80 economy

9. Mohammed Shami (India)

Nine wickets, 25.8 average, 5.68 economy, one five-wicket haul

10. Matt Henry (New Zealand)

Ten wickets, 16.7 average, 5.32 economy, one five-wicket haul

11. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)

Nine wickets, 15.1 average, 4.53 economy

12th player: Axar Patel (India)

Five wickets, 39.2 average, 4.35 economy

Topics: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Geopolitics and lack of buzz blight Champions Trophy’s return

Updated 10 March 2025
Reuters
Follow

Geopolitics and lack of buzz blight Champions Trophy’s return

  • Indian board BCCI stuck to their policy of not touring Pakistan because of strained political ties 
  • Allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai robbed Pakistan of honor of hosting the final 
Updated 10 March 2025
Reuters

Geopolitical reality, lack of buzz in host nation Pakistan and mediocre cricket in general meant Champions Trophy’s much-anticipated return to the calendar did not go according to plan for the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).
The one-day international (ODI) tournament served as an ICC fundraiser but offered no assurance about the future of a format battling for relevance in a cricket landscape ruled by Twenty20 leagues either.
Financial engine India’s participation, a key factor behind the commercial success of any cricket tournament, was in doubt after Pakistan bagged the hosting rights for the first ICC event in the country since 1996.
The Indian board (BCCI) stuck to their policy of not touring Pakistan because of the strained political ties between the bitter neighbors, who play each other only in ICC events.
Like for the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, a ‘hybrid model’ was agreed on under which India were allowed to play their matches in Dubai to salvage a tournament, which had been discontinued after the 2017 edition.
Under the agreement running until 2027, Pakistan will play in a neutral venue for any ICC event, like next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, scheduled in India.
Reigning T20 world champions India beat New Zealand in Sunday’s final to prove their credentials as a white-ball behemoth.
India have lost just one match — the final of the ODI World Cup in 2023 — in their last three ICC events and probably did not require what many called an “unfair advantage” of playing all their matches in Dubai.
“I feel sorry for India’s cricketers,” award-winning cricket writer Nicholas Brookes told Reuters.
“They are an outstanding team – in my mind, streets ahead of their competition regardless of conditions, and one of the greatest white-ball sides the game has seen.
“This tournament should have been their victory lap, but their brilliance has been somewhat overshadowed by constant questions about unfair advantages.”
Allowing India to play all their matches in Dubai robbed Pakistan of the honor of hosting the final and disrupted the schedule of the knockout matches.
South Africa were made to take a farcical 18-hour trip to Dubai in anticipation of a semifinal against India before flying back to Pakistan to face New Zealand.

“BENDING OVER BACKWARDS”

The whole affair made the ICC, currently headed by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, look weak in front of the world’s richest cricket board.
The scheduling also favored India, who had a week’s rest between their last two group matches, while Afghanistan played twice in three days.
“That looks like the ICC putting finances ahead of fairness,” said Brookes, whose “An Island’s Eleven” charts the history of Sri Lankan cricket and won the Wisden Book Of The Year award in 2023.
“Some people will naturally think that the governing body is bending over backwards to accommodate India.”
Defending champions Pakistan looked under-prepared for the tournament, both on and off the field.
Eleventh-hour facelift to stadiums in Karachi and Lahore, sparse crowd and three washouts dampened the spirit among the locals.
Adding to their woes, Mohammed Rizwan and his men finished bottom of Group A after a winless campaign that included a defeat by arch-rivals India.
An injury-ravaged Australia fielded a second string pace attack with Steve Smith, who quit ODIs after their semifinal exit, leading them in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra bagged the player-of-the-tournament prize, while fellow Black Cap Glenn Phillips redefined fielding with gravity-defying catches and India’s Virat Kohli proved he is not a spent force yet but the cricket was largely mediocre.
Afghanistan could not make the last four but impressed on their Champions Trophy debut while former champions England are searching for a new captain after their winless campaign prompted Jos Buttler to step down.

Topics: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan remittances grow 38.6 percent year-on-year

Updated 10 March 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia top contributor as Pakistan remittances grow 38.6 percent year-on-year

  • In Feb. 2025, Pakistan received highest inflows from Saudi Arabia, $744.4 million, followed by UAE, which contributed $652.2 million
  • Among factors driving up remittances are reforms to curb illegal foreign exchange trading and incentives implemented by central bank 
Updated 10 March 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded year-on-year growth of 38.6 percent in remittances with inflows of $3.1 billion in February, the central bank said on Monday, with the highest contributions coming from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Remittances are a lifeline for Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy, playing a critical role in stabilizing foreign exchange reserves and supporting balance of payments. 

“Workers’ remittances recorded an inflow of $3.1 billion during February 2025,” the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in a press release. “In terms of growth, remittances increased by 38.6 percent and 3.8 percent on year-on-year and month-on-month basis respectively.”

In February 2025, Pakistan received its highest inflows from Saudi Arabia, $744.4 million, followed by the UAE, which contributed $652.2 million. Remittances received from the United Kingdom and the United States stood at $501.8 million and $309.4 million respectively.

“Cumulatively, with an inflow of $24 billion, workers’ remittances increased by 32.5 percent during July to February, FY25 compared to $18.1 billion received during July to February FY24,” the central bank added.

Among factors driving an increase in remittances are reforms that have curbed illegal foreign exchange trading and incentives implemented by the State Bank of Pakistan. Decreased global inflation rates have encouraged Pakistani migrants to send more money back home. 

Families in Pakistan are also relying more on financial support from relatives working abroad due to inflation at home. 

Topics: Pakistan Remittances

Pakistan reports first death of 2025 from deadly brain-eating amoeba

Updated 10 March 2025
Follow

Pakistan reports first death of 2025 from deadly brain-eating amoeba

  • Naegleria fowleri, with 98 percent fatality rate, is transmitted when contaminated water enters body through nose
  • Over a hundred people have died from the infection in Pakistan since 2008, five people died last year 
Updated 10 March 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A 36-year-old woman died in the Pakistani city of Karachi last month after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a health official confirmed on Monday, marking the first death this year from the deadly brain-eating amoeba.

Naegleria fowleri has a fatality rate of more than 98 percent. It is transmitted when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and cannot be passed person-to-person.

Pakistan has seen a rise in Naegleria fowleri cases in recent years, with over a hundred people dead since the first reported infection in 2008. Five people died from the infection last year.

Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include severe headache, altered taste, high fever, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Death usually occurs five to seven days after infection.

In the latest case, a woman was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 19 after experiencing symptoms and died four days later on Feb. 23. 

“The presence of Naegleria fowleri was confirmed in the patient on Feb. 24, 2025 after the patient had passed away,” Sindh Health Department spokesperson Meeran Yousuf said in a statement.

“Upon investigation, it was noted that the patient had not participated in any water-related activities and her only exposure was regular use of water to perform ablution five times a day at home.”

Yousaf said this was the first death in Pakistan from Naegleria fowleri in 2025.

A 2021 study by the Sindh Health Department found that 95 percent of water samples in Karachi, the provincial capital, were unfit for human consumption, with experts attributing the contamination to the spread of amoeba.
 

Topics: brain-eating amoeba

Latest updates

Pakistan launches first dematerialized ID card on silver jubilee of database authority 
Man who scaled London’s ‘Big Ben’ clock tower appears in court
A protester holding a Palestinian flag gestures from the side of the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster.
Israeli team heads to Qatar for Gaza truce talks
Social media platform X outage appears to ease, Downdetector shows
No Pakistani players on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team of the tournament

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.