ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has extended heartfelt felicitations to the leadership and brotherly people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 96th National Day.
In his letters to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President Zardari said the signing of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye has further strengthened the strategic dimension of the longstanding Pakistan-Saudi partnership.
The President said Islamabad and Riyadh share deep-rooted ties of faith, shared history, friendship, mutual trust and solidarity.
The Pakistani President said the two countries greatly value their close relations, marked by strong cooperation and mutual support at bilateral, regional and international fora. He said the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement mark important milestones in the longstanding partnership, contributing to peace, stability and security in the region.
President Zardari expressed confidence that the fraternal relations between Islamabad and Riyadh would continue to deepen and expand across diverse areas of mutual interest for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples.
In his message to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, President Zardari said he looks forward to welcoming him to Pakistan at an early and convenient date and to working closely with him to further deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation.
Saudi Arabia is celebrating its National Day today, with people across the Kingdom marking the occasion through cultural events, public celebrations and displays of national pride.
The annual celebration commemorates the unification of the Kingdom and highlights its rich heritage, achievements and aspirations for the future.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close bilateral relations, with regular high-level diplomatic exchanges and cooperation in a range of political, economic, security and strategic areas.
On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security, enhancing defence cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Later in August, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also agreed to increase Pakistani agricultural and food exports to the Gulf kingdom to $3 billion. The agreement was reached during a visit to Pakistan by a Saudi delegation led by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley.
Saudi Arabia also 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.
