Appointment comes amid rising strategic alignment between Islamabad and Riyadh, with rising defence, financial ties
Pictured is the newly appointed Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Rajeh bin Tami Al-Baqami—FILE PHOTO
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday appointed Dr Rajeh bin Tami Al-Baqami as its new ambassador to Pakistan, changing Nawaf bin Stated Al-Malki, Arab Information reported, as the 2 longstanding allies deepen cooperation in defence, funding and regional safety.
In keeping with the Saudi Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Al-Baqami was amongst eight newly appointed envoys who took the oath of workplace this week.
“On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and earlier than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the newly appointed ambassadors to a number of brotherly and pleasant international locations took the oath,” the ministry mentioned in a press release on Tuesday, sharing pictures of the diplomats, together with the brand new envoy to Pakistan.
A retired main basic, Al-Baqami, later joined the Saudi Overseas Ministry with the rank of ambassador. He holds a doctorate in Human Useful resource Administration from Brunel College London.
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His appointment comes amid rising strategic alignment between Islamabad and Riyadh. Lower than a 12 months in the past, the 2 international locations signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Settlement below which aggression in opposition to one could be thought-about an assault on each, formalising many years of army cooperation.
Saudi Arabia has additionally expanded financial engagement with Pakistan, pledging billions of {dollars} in funding below Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 initiative, whereas persevering with to offer monetary help to assist stabilise Pakistan’s financial system throughout recurring balance-of-payments challenges.
Riyadh stays one in all Pakistan’s largest sources of oil on deferred fee and has repeatedly positioned deposits with the State Financial institution of Pakistan to bolster international alternate reserves.
Bilateral ties have additional strengthened in current months as each international locations coordinate intently on regional safety points, together with tensions involving Iran. Pakistan additionally deployed army property to Saudi Arabia earlier this 12 months following heightened safety considerations within the Kingdom, based on a Reuters report.
Al-Baqami succeeds Al-Malki, who served as Saudi ambassador throughout a interval marked by elevated political engagement, enhanced safety cooperation and rising Saudi funding in Pakistan.
