Islamabad, 23 October 2026(Kamran Raja): Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for further strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, with a particular focus on defence cooperation, trade, investment and economic partnership.
The Acting President made these remarks during a meeting with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.
Mr. Gilani said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy longstanding fraternal relations rooted in shared faith, mutual respect and brotherhood. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Expressing concern over the regional situation, he stressed the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and diplomacy.
Emphasising the need to translate historic ties into tangible economic gains, the Acting President called for enhanced bilateral investment, stronger trade relations and expanded business opportunities. He also highlighted the valuable contribution of approximately 2.5 million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom’s development, noting that their remittances play a significant role in supporting Pakistan’s economy.
Recalling his tenure as Federal Minister for Railways in 1986, Mr. Gilani referred to the railway project connecting Al-Hofuf and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, highlighting his association with the development of transport infrastructure linking the two cities.
Ambassador Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy described Pakistan as his second home and said the Saudi leadership had consistently attached great importance to relations with Pakistan. He emphasised that the brotherly relationship between the two countries rests on a strong foundation and expressed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, business and investment.
The Acting President expressed confidence that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations would gain further momentum during the Ambassador’s tenure, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation and advancing their longstanding strategic partnership.