JEDDAH, Saturday, January 10, 2026 (WNP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed chancery building of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah, marking a significant step toward improving consular services for the large Pakistani community in western Saudi Arabia.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, Consul General Syed Mustafa Rabbani, senior Saudi officials, representatives of the Pakistani community, and consulate staff. The event underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to the welfare of its citizens abroad and to strengthening institutional infrastructure in key host countries.

Addressing the gathering, Senator Dar lauded the efforts of the Consulate General and expressed gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their continued cooperation and support.

He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to facilitating overseas Pakistanis and formally authorized the transfer of consular operations to the new chancery.

The foreign minister noted that the state-of-the-art facility would significantly enhance service delivery for an estimated 1.8 million Pakistanis residing in western Saudi Arabia, enabling more efficient, accessible and citizen-friendly consular services.

The inauguration featured a series of ceremonial activities, including the hoisting of the national flag, plantation of a sapling, ribbon-cutting, and unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The ceremony concluded with special prayers for the continued prosperity of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, followed by a video presentation highlighting the modern features and facilities of the new chancery building.

The opening of the new consulate complex reflects Pakistan’s broader diplomatic outreach and its focus on improving engagement and service standards for its diaspora in the Middle East.