Saudi Arabia is ‘second home’ to Pakistani expats – Envoy

RIYADH: Pakistani expats considered Saudi Arabia to be “their second home,” Raja Ali Ejaz, Pakistan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, told Tabuk Governor Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz during a meeting in Tabuk on Monday.
Conveying his thanks to King Salman and the governor for the honor and respect shown toward the Pakistani community living in the Kingdom and Tabuk region, the envoy said: “Pakistani expatriates consider the Kingdom as their second home.”
Pakistan Embassy officials told Arab News that during his visit to the region, Ejaz met with members of the Pakistani expat community, assuring them of embassy support and urging them to abide by local laws and regulations.
“You are the ambassadors of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia and your contributions in the development of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are valued by both countries,” he said.
The ambassador added that long-standing relations between the two countries had “stood the test of time” and were “getting stronger with every passing day.”
During their get-together, Prince Fahd noted Saudi Arabia’s appreciation of the contributions made by Pakistanis toward economic development in the Kingdom and the Tabuk region in particular.
The governor also acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s religious and cultural ties with the Kingdom.
Earlier, commenting on Saudi-Pakistan relations, Ejaz told Arab News that bilateral links between the two countries remained strong.
“We have more than 2.2 million Pakistanis in the Kingdom. Pakistan’s prime minister has visited Saudi Arabia four times in less than a year and the Saudi crown prince also paid a visit to Pakistan last year which shows the strength of our cordial relations.”

Saudi Arabia is ‘second home’ to Pakistani expats – Envoy