JEDDAH, 12 May 2005 — Saudi Arabia and Pakistan yesterday agreed to strengthen cultural and media cooperation. The accord follows a meeting between Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq.
Speaking to Arab News after the meeting, Haq said Pakistan would telecast live the polo matches to Saudi Arabia in response to a request from Madani. “We have also agreed to exchange cultural and television programs,” he pointed out.
He said Madani had expressed the Kingdom’s desire to host Pakistani cultural programs and hold Saudi cultural programs in Pakistani cities. “The strong relations between our two countries demand joint efforts to help our peoples better understand each other’s culture,” Haq said.
The Pakistani minister also met with Haj Minister Dr. Fouad Al-Farsy and discussed arrangements for 150,000 Pakistani pilgrims who are scheduled to arrive for Haj this year.
The two sides have agreed to expand the area allocated for each pilgrim from three meters to 3.5 meters and to give permits to Pakistani travel and tourism agencies to operate Umrah programs during Ramadan.
Haq said the Kingdom would receive Pakistani Umrah pilgrims in groups. “They will receive the second group only after the return of 70 percent of pilgrims in the previous group,” he explained.
He said Islamabad would take action against those Pakistanis who exploit Haj and Umrah season for begging. “We’ll also take legal action against companies which failed to provide health services to our pilgrims last year,” he added. He said selection of buildings for Haj pilgrims in Makkah will be completed before Ramadan.
Referring to politics back in Pakistan, he said the government welcomes all parties including those of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto. “We want to hold dialogue with all,” he added. He said general elections in Pakistan would be held on time.
