Riyadh: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, while meeting Pakistani journalists and addressing a press briefing in Riyadh, highlighted the significant and historic developments in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during 2025. He stated that the year proved exceptionally important for both brotherly countries at strategic, economic, and diplomatic levels.
The Ambassador said that the most important development of 2025 was the signing of the Strategic Neutral Defense Agreement in September, concluded under the leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This agreement has given a new and stronger dimension to the five to six decades-long defense relations between the two countries. Under the agreement, both sides agreed that aggression against either country would be considered a shared threat—an exemplary step toward regional stability and mutual trust.
He added that one month after the agreement, a joint statement was issued following a meeting between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Saudi Crown Prince, under which a framework for economic cooperation was agreed upon. This framework aims to strengthen economic ties alongside defense relations. Practical work is underway, and positive results are expected soon.
According to Ambassador Ahmad Farooq, high-level engagements remained consistent throughout 2025. The Prime Minister of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia four times, while visits by Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee also took place. The awarding of Saudi Arabia’s highest military honor, the King Abdulaziz Medal, to Field Marshal Asim Munir reflects the deep defense trust between the two nations.
At the foreign minister level, several meetings and eight important telephone contacts were held during the year. During high-level meetings in October, clear indications were received that after the completion of ongoing agreements, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to visit Pakistan in the first or second quarter of next year.
Speaking on regional developments, the Ambassador noted that during the Pakistan–India tensions in May 2025, Saudi Arabia played a positive and effective role. The Saudi leadership’s diplomatic efforts contributed significantly to de-escalation, which Pakistan greatly appreciated.
At the international level, cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remained strong at the United Nations. Pakistan is serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025–26, where close coordination continued on issues concerning the Islamic world, particularly Gaza. Support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 is a clear manifestation of this cooperation.
Highlighting economic progress, the Ambassador said Pakistani delegations actively participated in the Future Minerals Forum in January, Pakistan’s first single-country exhibition in Jeddah in February, IT conferences, and investment forums. IT services exports increased from USD 43 million to USD 74 million, marking a 68% growth, with expectations to exceed USD 100 million this year.
He further informed that the Saudi–Pakistan Joint Business Council has been reconstituted, and 20 out of 33 MoUs have been converted into formal agreements worth approximately USD 1 billion. The target is to move trade toward surplus in eight key sectors, including textiles, IT, and agriculture.
In the cultural domain, several prominent activities were organized, including the Pakistan National Day Reception, screening of a Pakistani film, International Mountain Day event, and Truck Art exhibition. These initiatives effectively showcased Pakistani culture to the Saudi public, while the Cultural Cooperation MoU has also been finalized.
At the conclusion of the press conference, the Ambassador announced that a web-based electronic appointment system for the convenience of the Pakistani community would be launched soon. Preparations have been completed, and the system will initially be introduced on a pilot basis for Machine Readable Passport services, later expanding to other consular services to ensure time-efficient service delivery, especially for busy professionals.
The Ambassador stated that around three million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia, and serving them is the Embassy’s top priority. During 2025:
- Thousands of repatriation cases were successfully processed
- SAR 1.2 million in fines for prisoners’ release were paid with community support
- Complete renovation of consular halls was carried out and inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
He emphasized that these measures reflect the Embassy’s continuous efforts to improve and reform community services.
In conclusion, Ambassador Ahmad Farooq expressed confidence that Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations would continue to strengthen based on mutual trust, respect, and shared interests, and
