Pakistani Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on a visit to the Kingdom addressed the Pakistani community in Jeddah.

At a function organized in his honor at the residence of Consul General Aftab Ahmad Khokher on Tuesday, the railway minister spoke about the development of the sector in Pakistan and on issues of mutual interest concerning both countries.

Newly appointed ambassador to Pakistan, Manzoor ul Haq and prominent members of the Pakistani community in Jeddah including doctors, engineers, journalists, investors, group executives and businessmen participated in the function.

Haq said it was important for both countries to work together for mutual benefits, economic growth and to strengthen relations between the two countries. “Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner of Pakistan and we are committed to serving Pakistani expats living here. Our country is on the road to progress and the results will soon be there for all to see,” he said.

The minister also briefed the gathering on the progress of Pakistan’s railway sector and promised to resolve the problems of the Pakistani community in the Kingdom.

He referred to the issue of higher education for Pakistani students in the Kingdom, passport problems, high tariffs for calls to Pakistan, the construction of a new building for the Pakistan consulate and the problem of resources.

Stating that the consul general had already briefed him about the issues the Pakistani community is facing, Rafique said: “As a collective responsibility of the Cabinet and part of our personal responsibility toward Pakistanis and the Pakistani nation, we will do our best to convey these issues to the Pakistan government and find solutions to all the problems with the help of the consulate.”