ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, October 7, 2025 (WNP): Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh on Tuesday held comprehensive talks reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary cooperation, advancing bilateral relations, and promoting unity within the Muslim Ummah.
Welcoming Dr. Al-Sheikh and his delegation, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy “deep-rooted relations founded on faith, fraternity, and mutual trust.” He lauded the Kingdom’s consistent support for Pakistan, describing Saudi Arabia as “a sincere friend that has always stood by Pakistan through every test and challenge.”
Referring to the recently signed Pakistan–Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, the Speaker called it a “historic milestone and a proud achievement,” reflecting the “enduring friendship, confidence, and shared commitment to regional stability” between the two brotherly nations. He added that the agreement opened a new era of partnership based on mutual development and long-term cooperation.
“Parliamentary diplomacy is a vital pillar of our relationship,” Sadiq noted, emphasizing that enhanced legislative collaboration would help deepen people-to-people ties and further strengthen bilateral understanding.
The Speaker conveyed warm wishes for King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi people, commending the Saudi leadership’s role as Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques and its efforts to safeguard the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Muslim world.
Praising Riyadh’s diplomatic leadership, he expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s “constructive and principled stance” in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for its steadfast support to Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s government and opposition “stand united” in advancing relations with the Kingdom.
In recognition of his contributions to promoting Pakistan–Saudi parliamentary and diplomatic cooperation, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced that Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh would be conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Dr. Al-Sheikh said he was “delighted to visit Pakistan,” reaffirming that Saudi Arabia attaches “great importance to its brotherly ties” with Pakistan. He described the newly signed defence agreement as a step that “brings our two nations even closer,” clarifying that it “is not directed against any country but rooted in shared security and stability goals.”
He emphasized the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation, calling Pakistan a “vital partner in the Islamic world” and underlining the need for greater unity among Muslim nations to confront shared challenges.
Both leaders agreed to expand collaboration in trade, investment, and regional connectivity while reinforcing solidarity within the Muslim Ummah.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliki, and several Members of the National Assembly, including Syed Hafeezuddin, Zeib Jaffar, Malik Aamir Dogar, Sehar Kamran, Mujahid Ali, and Noor Alam Khan.
