LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had meeting with newly appointed Saudi Amb-assador to Pakistan Dr Rajeh Albugamy and warmly welcomed him, congratulating him on assuming his diplomatic responsibilities.
The chief minister appreciated the ambassador’s diplomatic services and expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its economic and financial assistance to Pakistan.
She described the Makkah defence agreement as the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations and strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives. She also extended an invitation to Saudi citizens to visit Punjab’s prominent tourist destinations and conveyed her best wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi Crown Prince.
The meeting discussed opportunities to utilise Punjab’s resources and potential to enhance exports of livestock, beef, poultry, fruits and vegetables to Saudi Arabia. The two sides also deliberated on organizing a PIVOT roadshow in Riyadh to attract investment in Punjab and agreed on a target of over Rs500 billion in exports of livestock, beef, poultry, mangoes, potatoes and shrimp.
Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leadership held a unique and revered place in the hearts of Pakistanis.
She said the decades-long relationship of trust between the Saudi leadership and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was a shining example of enduring bilateral ties. She noted that Saudi Arabia was Pakistan’s largest source of remittances, sending approximately 9.8 billion to the country. She said attacks on Saudi cities and civilian infrastructure, including attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, were condemnable.
The chief minister said the joint defence agreement signed in August 2026 reflected the shared resolve of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to protect their sovereignty and security. She said Pakistan fully supported Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its people, cities and critical infrastructure. “The people of Pakistan and Punjab stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” she said, adding that shared economic strength was a reliable guarantee of collective security.
Maryam Nawaz said Punjab had the potential to become a reliable supplier of halal-certified food products to Saudi Arabia. She also paid tribute to the services of the former Saudi ambassador for promoting and strengthening relations between the two countries.
Dr Rajeh Albugamy appreciated the deep-rooted, fraternal and strategic relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and their peoples, expressing a commitment to further strengthen cooperation in all fields.
The Saudi ambassador thanked the government of Pakistan, its armed forces and the people for their support to Saudi Arabia, particularly their backing for measures aimed at safeguarding the Kingdom’s security, stability and territorial integrity. He said Punjab’s rich heritage, from Mughal monuments to its vibrant living traditions, was an attraction in its own right. He added that Lahore’s hospitality, cuisine, warmth and welcoming spirit were renowned both within Pakistan and beyond.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026