ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has praised the contribution of Saudi Arabia’s outgoing Ambassador, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malkiy, towards strengthening the longstanding fraternal and strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh.
President Zardari, during a meeting with the Saudi envoy at the Presidency, appreciated his dedicated service and the friendship, warmth and cooperation he extended to Pakistan during his tenure, according to a statement issued by the President House’s media wing on Sunday.
The President said the Saudi ambassador had made a significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the political, economic and trade sectors.
Pakistan highly values its longstanding friendship with Saudi Arabia
The President said Islamabad highly values its longstanding friendship and strategic partnership with the kingdom and expressed appreciation for Riyadh’s unwavering support to the country.
He expressed hope that the strong foundation established during Ambassador Nawaf’s tenure would continue to support and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
President appreciates Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malkiy’s contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Saudi ties
President Asif Ali Zardari has appreciated the contribution of Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malkiy, towards… pic.twitter.com/7nONHyo45u
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 23, 2026
Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malkiy, who has served as Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the country since 2017, thanked the President and the Government for the warmth and cooperation extended to him during his stay in Islamabad. He said he would continue to hold Pakistan and its people in high regard.
The President wished Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malkiy success and the very best for his future endeavours, saying that Islamabad would always remain his second home.
Dr Al-Baqami appointed as new ambassador
Last month, the kingdom appointed Dr Rajeh bin Tami Al-Baqami as its new ambassador to Pakistan.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al-Baqami was among eight newly appointed ambassadors who took the oath of office.
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
“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 the country.
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Dr Rajeh bin Tami Al-Baqami assumes the post at a time of deepening strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Frequent high-level exchanges
The two countries have substantially deepened their economic engagement over the past two years through frequent high-level exchanges and the work of the Supreme Coordination Council and the Bilateral Finance Group.
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.
Riyadh remains one of Islamabad’s key economic partners, extending financial support, investment commitments and cooperation in areas including energy security and economic development.
Largest source of remittances
The kingdom remains the country’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.
Riyadh remains one of Islamabad’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.
Last month, Saudi Arabia extended its $5 billion financial support for Pakistan until 2029, providing a major boost to the country’s external financing position.
