“The Ministry of Interior is ready to study and reevaluate the security of Saudi diplomatic missions in Pakistan with a view to ensuring adequate protection to diplomats, staff and their dependents,” Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Al-Turki said in a statement.

Saudi diplomat Sgt. Maj. Hassan Misfer Al-Qahtani, 31, was killed in Karachi.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah telephoned Misfer bin Mahdi Al-Qahtani, father of the slain diplomat, to convey his condolences.

France also condemned his assassination and expressed its condolences to the Saudi government.

In a statement released by the French Embassy in Riyadh, France said it firmly supports the Pakistani and Saudi governments in the fight against terrorism.

Hundreds of targeted killings this year in Pakistan, especially in Karachi, have raised concerns of escalating violence.

Barely a few months ago, the Australian government shut down its consulates in Karachi and Lahore, citing security concerns.

Asked about the urgent need to step up security of the Saudi mission in Pakistan, Al-Turki said Ministry of Interior has a department entrusted with the task of ensuring the protection of Saudi diplomatic missions abroad.

“But, the deployment of officers with security backgrounds from this Interior Ministry’s wing is made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with the Saudi diplomatic mission in Pakistan as well as with Pakistani security agencies to follow up the investigations in this case.

Pakistan has readily agreed to work closely with the Kingdom in investigations, but “the primary role in the probe will be played by Pakistani agencies,” Prince Khalid bin Saud bin Khalid, assistant minister of foreign affairs, said at a press conference.

Prince Khalid said a panel of Saudi officials may join the Pakistani investigating team as and when required.

He said Riyadh and Islamabad have had strong bilateral ties, adding that the assassination had left a number of questions unanswered.

“I don’t know who or which group has interest in targeting the Kingdom’s interests in Pakistan,” said the prince.

Al-Qahtani’s wife gave birth to a baby girl just two weeks prior to his murder.

He was also due to end his service in Pakistan in less than a month.

The funeral prayer for Al-Qahtani was performed after Zuhr prayer Tuesday at Riyadh’s King Khalid Mosque.