In a significant development, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have officially inked an agreement to implement the “Road to Makkah” initiative, designed to simplify the immigration process for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
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Saudi Arabia evacuates 91 people, including Pakistanis, from Sudan amidst crisis
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan recently announced that it had successfully evacuated 91 individuals from different countries, including Pakistani citizens who were stranded in Sudan.
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Saudi Arabia deploys extensive air surveillance system for Hajj pilgrimage
ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, has announced that the Saudi government has deployed an extensive air surveillance system to ensure the safety and security of all the faithful preparing to embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom.
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Saudi Fund provides $240 million for Mohmand Dam project
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has recently signed a loan agreement worth $240 million to support Pakistan’s Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project, according to a statement issued Friday.
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Saudi Arabia raises SAR 17 million for earthquake victims in Turkiey and Syria
Saudi Arabia has raised over SAR 17 million as donations to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey.
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Saudi Arabia extends term of $3 billion deposit for Pakistan
KARACHI: Saudi Arabia on has extended the term of $3 billion deposit with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), said a statement issued on Friday.
The central bank said that the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) extended the term for the deposit provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the amount of 3 billion dollars to the SBP.
The extension of the term of the deposit is a continuation of the support provided by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as the deposit aimed to shore up the foreign currency reserves in the bank and help Pakistan in facing the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic; it, furthermore, contributed to meet external sector challenges and achieve sustainable economic growth for the country.
It is worth noting that the $3 billion-deposit agreement was signed through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) with the State Bank of Pakistan in November of last year 2021, after the issuance of the royal directives that reflect the continuation of the close relationship between the two countries.
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Saudi Arabia launches insurance program for Umrah performers
Saudi Arabia has launched an insurance program for Umrah performers coming from all over the world.
Under the insurance program pilgrims and visitors can benefit from more than 2,764 facilities providing health services in various cities and regions of the Kingdom during the current Umrah season.
The Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the insurance program.
A selection of 151 public and private sector hospitals will provide services to pilgrims and visitors coming to Makkah and Madinah, in addition to 773 health centers and polyclinics, as well as 1,840 medical laboratories and pharmacies all over the Kingdom.
The insurance program aims to enhance the quality of living of Umrah pilgrims and visitors while they are in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and pray in the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque.
The program was launched by the Ministry to improve quality of service provided to pilgrims and to enrich their religious and cultural experience within the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Saudi Gazette reported.
The insurance policy provides healthcare and travel protection and harnesses all capabilities and efforts to serve pilgrims and fulfill all their requirements from the moment they arrive in the Kingdom and until their departure after performing the rituals.
This comes within the objectives of Vision 2030 to improve the experience of pilgrims by enabling them to perform Umrah utilizing swift solutions and options, and to make it easier for them to perform the rituals in peace and comfort until they return to their country safely.
The Ministry recently announced a set of facilities for pilgrims, which include allowing the Umrah pilgrimage for all types of visas, canceling age requirements, and procedural restrictions related to the presence of a mahram for women, in addition to facilitating the movement of pilgrims between cities and regions of the Kingdom, and extending the period of the Umrah visa from 30 days to 90 days, with the aim of facilitating the arrival of pilgrims with ease and tranquility , raising the quality of services provided, and enriching the religious and cultural experience of the pilgrims.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz arrives Saudi Arabia to attend FII Summit
RIYADH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday arrived Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit to attend the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit being held from October 25-27, 2022.
The prime minister is visiting the Kingdom at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
At the airport, the Governor of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received the prime minister who was accompanied by a delegation comprising the federal ministers.
READ MORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz wishes Hindu community on Diwali
During his stay in Riyadh, the prime minister will hold consultations with the Saudi Crown Prince to review the longstanding fraternal relations, with a view to further strengthening the multifaceted cooperation, especially in the economic field, according to the Foreign Office.
Prior to his departure, the prime minister in a series of tweets said the present state of the global economy needed “new thinking and bold vision to overcome the irritants and forge new paths”.
“The pandemic and climate-induced disasters have already put immense strains on the developing countries,” he said, adding that it was high time the world explored solutions to the deepening challenges through candid dialogue.
The FII summit will convene the world’s foremost CEOs, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and young leaders to shape the future of international investment and the global economy.
The event will include in-depth conversations about new pathways for global investment; analysis of critical industry trends; and unparalleled networking among CEOs, world leaders, and experts.
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Saudi Arabia names Prince Mohammed bin Salman as prime minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the prime minister of the country.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has issued on Tuesday a royal decree appointing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
However, the weekly session of the Cabinet, in which the King attends, will be held under his chairmanship, according to the royal decree.
The Crown Prince’s appointment was made with giving an exemption to the provision of Article 56 of the Basic Law of Governance, and the relevant provisions contained in the Law of the Council of Ministers.
In another royal decree, the King restructured the Council of Ministers, headed by the Crown Prince.
King Salman also issued a decree appointing Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman as Minister of Defense. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan has been appointed new minister of education.
The ministers keeping their positions unchanged are Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman as Minister of Energy, Prince Faisal bin Farhan as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khalid bin Abdulaziz al-Falih as Minister of Investment, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz as Minister of Interior, Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Jadaan as Minister of Finance.
Also keeping their ministerial titles are Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz as Minister of the National Guard, Walid al-Samaani as Minister of Justice, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh as Minister of Islamic affairs, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan as Minister of Culture, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal as Minister of Sports, Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah as Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi as Minister of Commerce.
In addition, Bandar bin Ibrahim al-Khorayef as Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ahmed al-Khateeb as Minister of Tourism, Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim as Minister of Economy and Planning, and Fahd bin Abdulrahman al-Jalajel as Minister of Health.
