After administering the oath, the ambassador urged the business people to give a "new push to bilateral business ties." Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, he said, were bound together by historical and religious links in addition to cultural and commercial ties. He called on the businessmen of the two countries to avail themselves of the opportunities of mutual cooperation.

The other new office-bearers are Khalid M. Raja, general secretary; Bashir Ahmed Chaudhary, finance secretary; and Ghulam Safdar, joint secretary. The 15-member executive committee, which named the new officials also retained three old faces. They include Chaudhury Nazir Ahmed, Shamshad Ali Siddiqui and Khalid M. Choudhary, who will serve as chairman, vice president and vice chairman of the PIF respectively.

President Soomro, who also operates a charity to help needy people in Pakistan especially in the fields of healthcare and education, spelled out his vision for PIF. He said that the PIF was established with the idea of supporting Pakistani business interests and boosting trade relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The forum, of late, has taken several initiatives. One of them is the PIF's plan to work closely with the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).

SAGIA has facilitated more than 300 Pakistani businessmen in various investment projects in the Kingdom. Referring to future events to be organized by the PIF, Soomro said that the forum would organize some high-profile seminars that would also serve as platforms for exchange of information with Saudi businesspeople. The PIF also announced plans to set up "special interest groups" to promote investment interests in construction, power, IT and telecommunications sectors.

A new edition of the PIF directory is also in the pipeline, he said. He also renewed his pledge to assist all interested investors and explore business opportunities for Saudi and Pakistani investors in both countries. Among the major PIF objectives also include the promotion of Saudi commercial interests and interaction with Saudi business organizations from time to time.