RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, has called for greater support for educational programmes in Pakistan, emphasising the importance of strengthening educational initiatives and promoting knowledge and learning.
He made the remarks during a meeting with newly appointed Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy at his office on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
During the meeting, they discussed areas of coordination between the ministry and the embassy in serving Muslims in Pakistan, supporting awareness and educational programs, and promoting the values of moderate Islam.
Saudi Arabia last month appointed Dr Rajeh bin Tami Albugamy as its new ambassador to Pakistan, replacing Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.
The appointment comes as the two longstanding allies continue to strengthen cooperation in defence, investment and regional security.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Albugamy was among eight newly appointed ambassadors.
“On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and before His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the newly appointed ambassadors to several brotherly and friendly countries took the oath,” the ministry said in a statement, sharing photographs of the diplomats, including the new envoy to Pakistan.
نيابةً عن #خادم_الحرمين_الشريفين وأمام سمو #ولي_العهد..
السفراء المُعينون حديثًا لدى عدد من الدول الشقيقة والصديقة يؤدون القسم. pic.twitter.com/r9pTJDveO9— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) July 28, 2026
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan share long-standing ties
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share long-standing, cordial relations spanning several decades, with cooperation across key sectors including defence, trade, economy, agriculture, livestock, and minerals.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence pact on August 7, 2026, establishing a collective security framework under which an armed attack against any one member is considered an attack against all three.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the pact during the “Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence”.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Appoints Dr Al-Baqami as New Ambassador to Pakistan
Less than a year ago, the two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, formalising decades of military cooperation by stipulating that an attack on one would be regarded as an attack on both.
The Kingdom has also stepped up its economic engagement with Pakistan, committing billions of dollars in investment as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative.
Riyadh remains one of Pakistan’s largest suppliers of oil on deferred payment terms and has repeatedly placed deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan to help strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Bilateral relations have gained further momentum in recent months, with the two countries coordinating closely on regional security issues, including tensions involving Iran.
The country remains Pakistan’s largest source of remittances and hosts more than 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, highlighting the depth of economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
