PM Shehbaz reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia in meeting with new envoy

Dawn · 16/10/2026، 11:19:07 AM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” amid a recent escalation in Houthi attacks. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier made the remarks during a meeting with newly appointed Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy. He welcomed the envoy to Pakistan and congratulated him on assuming his new responsibilities. Ambassador Albugamy, assumed his diplomatic responsibilities in Islamabad on Thursday, reaffirming the commitment to strengthening the strategic and fraternal ties between the two countries. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations had made significant progress in recent years and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors. He “strongly condemned” the recent escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, which had resulted in deaths and injuries, including among Pakistani nationals, the statement said. The prime minister also said the two countries had always stood by each other, adding that the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance marked “historic milestones” in their longstanding fraternal relations and reflected their shared commitment to regional peace and security. PM Shehbaz also thanked the Saudi leadership for its longstanding economic and financial support to Pakistan and assured the ambassador of Pakistan’s full support and cooperation in further strengthening bilateral ties. Ambassador Albugamy also met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, where the latter underscored longstanding fraternal and strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh, according to the Foreign Office (FO). He also reaffirmed Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s “shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity”. The FO added that the new Saudi envoy