Dr. Mustafa Kamal
On the auspicious occasion of the 96th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we extend our heartfelt felicitations to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
This day is not only a celebration for Saudi Arabia but a moment of joy for every Pakistani, because the relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is not merely diplomatic, it is a sacred bond of faith, blood and brotherhood.
An Unbreakable, All-Weather BrotherhoodThe relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is often described as an “unbreakable, all-weather brotherhood”. As former Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Turki bin Faisal once said, it is “probably one of the closest relationships in the world between any two countries.”This historic bond predates the creation of Pakistan itself. In 1940, Crown Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz visited Karachi and was hosted by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. When Pakistan emerged on the world map in 1947, Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to recognize it. This friendship was formally sealed with the 1951 Treaty of Friendship.
During King Saud’s visit to Karachi in 1954, Saudi assistance led to the establishment of Saudabad Town, which stands to this day as a symbol of our early cooperation.Through every test of time, we stood together. During the 1965 and 1971 wars, Riyadh extended unwavering economic and diplomatic support to Islamabad. In 1969, Pakistan Army personnel were deployed to secure Saudi Arabia’s southern borders, and in 1979, Pakistani special forces assisted in restoring peace during the tragic Grand Mosque seizure in Makkah.
The historic 1974 OIC Summit in Lahore, hosted with the full support of King Faisal, made Pakistan the centre of the Muslim world. In gratitude, Pakistan named Lyallpur as Faisalabad and the majestic Faisal Mosque in Islamabad stands as a living tribute to King Faisal.When Pakistan conducted its nuclear tests in May 1998 and faced crippling international sanctions, Saudi Arabia was the only major power to openly stand with us, providing 50,000 barrels of free oil per day to keep our economy afloat. This is what brotherhood means.Today, over 2.7 million Pakistanis are contributing to the development of the Kingdom under Vision 2030, and their remittances remain the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
From financial deposits in our Central Bank during our most difficult times to massive investments in mining, IT and energy, Saudi Arabia has always been the first to help.The Emerging Trilateral Shield: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and TürkiyeIn the modern era, this relationship is transforming from a donor-recipient model into a strategic partnership. The most remarkable development is the emerging trilateral defence and strategic cooperation between *Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and TürkiyeThis trilateral understanding is a game-changer for the Muslim Ummah.
It combines Pakistan’s proven defence capability and manpower, Türkiye’s advanced defence technology including drones and modern systems, and Saudi Arabia’s economic strength and strategic vision. This cooperation in joint defence production, military training and counter-terrorism will not only ensure the security of the three brotherly countries but will become a pillar of stability for the entire Islamic world.Custodian of Harmain Sharifain – The Heart of the UmmahFor every Muslim, Saudi Arabia holds a status no other country can. As the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Kingdom has been blessed by Allah Almighty with the sacred responsibility of protecting Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah.
The Saudi leadership has fulfilled this divine duty with exemplary devotion, expanding the holy sites, spending billions on their maintenance, and ensuring their sanctity.Remarkable Arrangements for Hajj and UmrahThe world is witness to the fact that Saudi Arabia makes exceptional and remarkable arrangements every year to facilitate millions of Hujjaj and Umrah pilgrims.The recent expansion of Masjid Al-Haram, the modernization of Masjid-e-Nabvi, the excellent crowd management system, the introduction of Nusuk platform, high-speed Haramain Train, improved health and safety services, and hospitality for guests of all nationalities are truly commendable.
To host and serve 2 to 3 million pilgrims in a few days is not just management, it is an act of great love for Islam.On this 96th National Day, we pray for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. May the green flag of Saudi Arabia always fly high, and may the brotherhood of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain unbreakable forever.
Long Live Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Brotherhood!
