Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day every year on September 23, marking the unification of the Kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. This year, Saudi Arabia is celebrating its 96th National Day. Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia, established soon after Pakistan’s independence, are based on religious bonds, defence cooperation, economic interests and historic links. Saudi Arabia is an important spiritual centre of the Muslim world, while Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country. For Pakistanis, the relationship with Makkah and Madinah goes beyond foreign policy; it is deeply rooted in faith and belief, making Pak-Saudi ties unique.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia established relations soon after Pakistan’s independence and gradually developed a strong partnership. Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to welcome Pakistan as a new Muslim state. In 1951, the two countries signed their first treaty of friendship and cooperation. In 1954, King Saud visited Pakistan and described it as his second home. The era of King Faisal marked another important chapter in bilateral relations, particularly in promoting ties and Muslim unity. Faisalabad and Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi carry his name, while Faisal Masjid in Islamabad remains a symbol of his support. The deep attachment to the Two Holy Mosques gives special importance to facilities provided for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Smart Hajj applications, electronic services, medical facilities and modern monitoring systems have further organized Hajj arrangements. Saudi Arabia has rendered a major service in the publication and distribution of the Holy Quran. The King Fahd Complex in Madinah has a production capacity exceeding 18 million copies of various publications, while translations of the meanings of the Quran have been published in more than 78 languages.
Saudi Arabia has stood with Pakistan during difficult times. During the wars of 1965 and 1971, it extended political, diplomatic and financial support to Pakistan. After Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998 and the resulting international sanctions, Saudi Arabia supplied oil to Pakistan on deferred payments. After the 2005 earthquake, floods and other disasters, Saudi assistance continued to reach Pakistan. Support for reconstruction and financial deposits also provided assistance to Pakistan’s economy during difficult periods.
Defence and security cooperation is another important pillar of Pak-Saudi relations. In 1967, a military agreement provided for Pakistan to train the Saudi armed forces. This cooperation has continued for decades. More recently, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on August 7, 2026. The agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries shall be regarded as an attack against all and emphasizes collective security, peace and regional stability.
Today, Pak-Saudi relations are moving beyond religious and defence cooperation towards economic partnership. Through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), cooperation is expanding in agriculture, information technology, renewable energy, minerals and other sectors. Saudi interest in projects such as Reko Diq reflects this direction. Saudi Vision 2030 is also creating opportunities for Pakistani engineers, IT professionals, skilled workers and other professionals. Millions of Pakistanis live and work in Saudi Arabia and contribute to its development, while their remittances remain important for Pakistan’s economy.
On the diplomatic level, Saudi ambassadors in Pakistan have contributed to strengthening economic, cultural and educational links. The bond between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continues to develop. On the 96th National Day of Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani nation extends heartfelt congratulations to the people of Saudi Arabia and prays for the security, progress and prosperity of the Kingdom.
—The writer is a freelance
journalist, based in Lahore. ([email protected])
