ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are set to sign an agreement on the legal status of Rohingya Muslims, aiming to resolve a long-standing issue, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, where he was received by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed Pakistan–Saudi ties, with an emphasis on expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening security coordination, the Interior Ministry’s statement added.
#اسلام_آباد |پاکستان میں #خادم_حرمين_شريفين کے سفیر جناب نواف بن سعید المالکی نے وفاقی وزیر داخلہ وانسداد منشیات جناب سید محسن رضا نقوی کا استقبال کیا۔ دوران ملاقات خوش گوار گفتگو اور باہمی دلچسپی کے امور پر تبادلہ خیال ہوا۔ pic.twitter.com/KEKeNrbn0h
— السفارة في باكستان – سعودی سفارت خانہ (@KSAembassyPK) November 13, 2025
The Saudi envoy strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Islamabad and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
During the talks, both sides agreed to resolve the long-standing issue of the legal status of Rohingya Muslims between the two countries.
The ambassador thanked the Government of Pakistan for its constructive efforts in moving the matter toward a resolution, and a formal agreement is expected to be signed in Saudi Arabia next week.
Both sides also explored ways to further enhance cooperation between their respective interior ministries.
“We are proud of our deep ties with the people of Pakistan,” Ambassador Al-Malki said. Federal Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha also attended the meeting.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, in September, signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, a move that will enhance joint deterrence and strengthen decades of military and security cooperation.
The pact aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance joint deterrence, and formalise the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations.
The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he met Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have for decades maintained close political, military, and economic ties.
The Kingdom hosts more than 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates — the largest overseas community sending remittances back to Pakistan — and has repeatedly provided Islamabad with financial support during its economic crises.
