The Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia Wednesday celebrated the Pakistan Independence Day with simplicity, zeal and fervor.
The day started with flag hoisting ceremonies held simultaneously at the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh, where people gathered from different quarters and Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah.
Mohammed Naeem Khan, ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, unfurled the national flag, at a largely attended ceremony held in the Embassy building here and the messages of the President and the Prime Minister were read out.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal congratulated all Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia on Independence Day of Pakistan.
“Pakistanis are a patriotic nation who are not only resilient but hardworking and intelligent. Our forefathers gave us Pakistan as homeland and PML government in the country will give bright and promising future to new generation,” he said.
He was speaking as chief guest in flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 67th Independence Day of Pakistan at the Consulate, where the members of Pakistani community from Jeddah, Makkah, Taif and adjacent areas gathered to attend the flag hoisting ceremony.
The minister said that every Pakistani has to work day and night for the economic transformation of the country.
“Unfortunately, for the last 14 years no sustained efforts were made for economic planning,” the minister said. “As a result, we failed to develop our economic relations even with those countries with whom we have excellent political and diplomatic relations.”
Iqbal said the new government is taking steps to market “Made in Pakistan” and expect to achieve the benchmark of $3-4 billion exports in next two to three years, which will provide such an environment in the country which will be conducive for economic and industrial growth.
He added that Pakistan government would launch by Dec. 31 its program “Vision 2025” which will provide solid road-map to the development in socio-economic sectors in the country.
He said that their government had already cleared circular debt amounting to $500 million, which has led to increase in power generation.
The minister maintained that the new government, which has vast experience of governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Nawaz Sharif, is set to lead the country on path of progress, development and prosperity by taking proper decision not popular decision as the present situation warrants taking only proper decisions for giving the nation a better future.
“For this the government needs public support both inside the country and abroad,” the minister said.
Ambassador Khan said that Pakistan continues to play its important role in the global community.
“Our efforts for the maintenance of peace and security in the world are appreciated worldwide,” he said. “We are also one of the largest contributors to the United Nations’ peacekeeping forces around the globe.”
He said that we have pride in our special relationship with Saudi Arabia.
“Based on the solid foundations of Islamic identity, shared civilizational heritage, commonality of perceptions on international issues and mutual goodwill at the public level, these relations continue to gain strength with each passing day.
The relationship is also nurtured by the special love and reverence that the people of Pakistan have for Saudi Arabia, the holy land. The government and people of Pakistan also have profound love and respect for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman, the royal family and the government and people of Saudi Arabia,” the ambassador said.
In Jeddah the Federal Minister and the Consul General Aftab A. Khokhar jointly unfurled the flag.
Pakistan Independence Day celebrated with zeal, fervor
Pakistan Independence Day celebrated with zeal, fervor
Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
- Vice environment minister highlights Kingdom’s focus on human capital, sustainability at Riyadh conference
Riyadh: Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant progress toward Vision 2030, with 93 percent of annual indicators met and 85 percent of initiatives either completed or on track.
Speaking at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Riyadh, he emphasized the environment sector’s commitment to sustainability and the prioritization of worker safety across all development projects.
Al-Mushaiti underscored the Kingdom’s focus on human capital, demonstrated by the establishment of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and the adoption of international best practices.
He noted the water sector’s achievement of more than 190 million safe work hours and a sub-45-second emergency response time with zero serious incidents during large-scale project implementation, which he attributed to robust safety management systems.
The conference, held from May 4-6 under the theme “The Future of Occupational Safety and Health,” brings together senior officials, experts, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world to explore future directions and challenges in global labor markets.
Al-Mushaiti also outlined environmental protection efforts, including a noise and light pollution monitoring program in major cities, citing potential productivity gains of more than 11 percent, according to the World Green Building Council.
He highlighted the success of the Saudi Green Initiative, which has led to the planting of more than 141 million trees, the rehabilitation of more than 313,000 hectares of degraded land, and the protection of more than 4 million hectares.
These environmental advances enhance worker safety and contribute to safer, more sustainable work environments, Al-Mushaiti said.
In agriculture, Al-Mushaiti affirmed the ministry’s adoption of Saudi Good Agricultural Practices standards, with 142 facilities accredited for safe practices, advanced pesticide control systems, and smart awareness platforms that have reduced pesticide residues to below 2 percent.
The three-day conference features scientific sessions, 60 workshops, 20 dialogue sessions, and the Global Occupational Safety and Health Hackathon, showcasing 30 innovative projects.
Thousands worldwide benefit from KSrelief medical programs
- On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief completed medical programs in Tajikistan, Turkiye, and Tanzania, in line with the organization’s aim to support injured people worldwide.
The Saudi Noor Campaign, which will conclude on May 6, is tackling blindness in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The medical team examined 1,731 cases, assigned 198 prescription glasses, performed 60 operations and provided medication to 857 patients.
In Reyhanli district, Türkiye, KSrelief carried out a prosthetics and rehabilitation program.
With a team of 13 specialists, they fitted 36 individuals with prosthetics and 40 orthopedic splints.
On Saturday, the organization also concluded its volunteer open-heart surgery and catheterization project in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The team performed 133 open-heart catheterizations and 15 open-heart operations.
KSrelief continues humanitarian initiatives in Yemen and Syria
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to launch volunteer programs throughout the Arab world to address humanitarian crises and improve the health of Yemeni and Syrian people.
In Damascus, the team completed three volunteer initiatives that supported hundreds with disaster response, administrative training, and psychosocial support for women and children. The program ran from April 26 to May 3.
In Yemen, meanwhile, KSrelief completed the first phase of an outreach vaccination campaign in the Aden governorate in collaboration with Yemen’s Minister of Public Health and Population Qasem Buhaibeh.
On Friday, the organization launched vocational training courses in Wadi Hadhramaut, Yemen, to improve the livelihood of locals and boost economic development.
The project targeted 1,500 people and focused on home appliance maintenance, carpentry, vehicle repair, men’s tailoring, beekeeping, plumbing, photography, and electricity and energy.
Saudi fashion event highlights retail trends, youth culture, and digital innovation
- Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves
RIYADH: A Riyadh fashion seminar on Sunday brought together industry leaders and creatives to explore the future of Saudi Arabia’s fashion economy.
Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2.
The agenda focused on three main themes: the evolution of fashion retail in the Kingdom; the role of cultural identity in building brands; and the rising importance of digital fashion and collaboration.
An awards ceremony honored the standout talents of this year’s cohort: APOA, Awaken, Bucketbox, Mona Al-Shebil, Noble & Fresh, Nora Al-Shaikh, Rebirth, Samar Nasraldin, The Untitled Project and USCITA.
FASTFACT
Hosted by Chalhoub Group at Lakum Art Space, the event featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, and displays by 10 emerging Saudi designers from The Fashion Lab Cohort 2.
One discussion explored consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, revealing that the local market continues to grow despite global slowdowns.
Speakers noted that the increase in entertainment activities such as concerts and dining in the Kingdom in recent years has led to higher demand for fashion products because people are looking for ways to express themselves.
Retail experiences — both physical and digital — were emphasized as key to engaging Saudi consumers.
Youth culture, streetwear and sports are shaping brand narratives, a panel heard. Speakers discussed how fashion is being used as a tool for cultural storytelling, with an emphasis on grassroots creativity and community building.
Another topic highlighted the power of collaboration between local and international brands. Panelists discussed the importance of long-term partnerships, manufacturing localization, and mentorship to bridge gaps in knowledge and infrastructure.
Speakers also addressed the future of digital fashion, including virtual design, retail innovation, and new marketing strategies targeting Gen Z.
Saudi Arabia’s growing role in shaping the regional and global fashion economy was a prominent theme of the discussions.
First Saudi-Maldives forum to tackle transparency, governance in tourism
- Discussions aim to support sustainable development, promote safe tourism environment
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia — in partnership with the Maldives — is organizing the tourism sector’s inaugural Saudi-Maldives International Forum on Integrity, which is set to take place in the Maldives from May 6 to 7.
The forum is jointly organized by Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, and the Maldives’ Anti-Corruption Commission, in cooperation with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
It will cover key topics such as enhancing transparency and governance in the tourism sector, combating corruption, and boosting international partnerships and expertise exchange among member states and regional and international organizations.
The discussions aim to support sustainable development and promote a trustworthy and safe tourism environment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The forum is expected to attract international participation from more than 40 countries and 10 regional and international organizations.
Attendees will include ministers, heads, and representatives of anti-corruption bodies from OIC member states, as well as key international organizations like the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities, and the UN Development Programme. Local and international experts will also take part.
Organizing the forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global efforts promoting transparency and accountability in tourism, according to the SPA.
The event highlights Saudi Arabia’s recognition of tourism as a key driver of sustainable development, in line with Vision 2030. It aims to build a thriving tourism sector, diversify national income sources, and stimulate economic growth.
