ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's leaders congratulated Saudi Arabia on its 96th National Day, issuing statements that reaffirmed bilateral defense agreements and the strategic ties between the two countries.
President Asif Ali Zardari sent letters to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a statement from the President's Office.
In an official statement, President Zardari cited the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as critical milestones that deepen the “strategic partnership” of the two countries and “bolster regional peace, stability and security.”
He stated that the relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia rests on “shared faith, history, friendship, mutual trust and solidarity.”
The president invited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit Pakistan “at an early and convenient date.”
PM congratulates Saudi leadership, public
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Saudi leadership and people, the Prime Minister’s Office stated Wednesday.
In an official statement, PM Sharif said Saudi Arabia's modernization and transformation under the Crown Prince's leadership has become a source of pride for Pakistan. “The kingdom's progress toward greater prosperity, modernization and innovation merits recognition,” PM Sharif said.
He said that Pakistan regards its relationship with Saudi Arabia as “a historic and time-tested brotherhood rooted in faith, mutual trust and deep bonds between the peoples.”
Sharif said the relationship between the two countries is “developing into a stronger strategic partnership centered on shared commitment to peace, security and Muslim unity.”
The prime minister condemned the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, calling an attempted drone strike on Makkah “reprehensible.” He stated that any threat to “the sanctity and security of the Haramain Sharifain,” the two holiest sites in Islam, “reverberates deeply among Muslims worldwide.”
The prime minister said that Pakistan stood with Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty, security and “the sanctity of Islam's holiest sites.”
Foreign Office
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its own statement congratulating the kingdom.
In a post on X, the ministry cited enduring bonds of faith, history and fraternity connecting the two nations. The statement expressed wishes for the kingdom's “continued peace, prosperity and progress.”