Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
Saudi Arabia’s new Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy, has assumed his diplomatic responsibilities in Islamabad at a crucial time for regional security, holding a series of high-level meetings with the Pakistani leadership to further strengthen the strategic and fraternal ties between the two brotherly countries.
Dr. Albugamy succeeds H.E. Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, who completed his long tenure as Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan earlier this year. Holding a doctorate in Human Resources Management from Brunel University, London, the new envoy is keen to strengthen trade, investment and institutional ties.
Meeting with President Pakistan
The Ambassador presented his credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday. He conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, wishing the government and people of Pakistan further progress and prosperity.
President Zardari underscored the close strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Kingdom’s security and defence. He emphasized the need to deepen economic ties, appreciated Saudi Arabia’s longstanding financial support and assistance with oil supplies, and highlighted the valuable contribution of the Pakistani community in the Kingdom.
The President expressed confidence that relations between the two countries would reach new heights during the Ambassador’s tenure.The Ambassador thanked Pakistan for its positive and consistent stance towards the Kingdom.
Meeting with Prime Minister – Condemnation of Houthi Attacks
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the new Saudi envoy on Friday at the Prime Minister’s House. The PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity” amid a recent escalation in Houthi attacks. He strongly condemned the attacks, which had resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians, including Pakistani nationals.
Sharif said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have consistently supported each other, adding that the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) and the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance marked significant milestones in their longstanding relations and reflected a shared commitment to regional peace and security.
He said bilateral ties had made considerable progress in recent years and reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening existing institutional mechanisms to expand cooperation across various sectors. He thanked the Saudi leadership for its longstanding economic and financial support to Pakistan.The PM welcomed Ambassador Albugamy, congratulated him on his appointment and assured him of Islamabad’s full support in further strengthening relations. He wished him success in his diplomatic assignment.
Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister
The newly appointed Ambassador also called on Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.DPM Dar underscored the longstanding fraternal bonds and strategic partnership between Pakistan and KSA, reaffirming the shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity.
The Ambassador conveyed greetings of the Saudi leadership to Pakistan’s leadership and people. The DPM/FM reciprocated with warm greetings and best wishes for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman; Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman; Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud; and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
DPM Dar wished the Ambassador a successful tenure in Pakistan and underscored Islamabad and Riyadh’s shared commitment to strengthen cooperation.
Call on Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces
On 19 October 2026, H.E. Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and regional security dynamics were discussed. Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the progress made under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and underscored the importance of strengthening defence collaboration, institutional linkages and strategic coordination.
The COAS & CDF congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and expressed confidence that his tenure would further contribute to strengthening the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom, rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and strategic partnership.
Strategic Context: Makkah Alliance and Regional Tensions
The appointment comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East following US-Iran tensions and renewed Houthi attacks on the Kingdom.Islamabad and Riyadh have signed two landmark defence pacts aimed at collective deterrence – the bilateral Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Alliance that also includes Turkiye.
The Makkah defence pact, signed on August 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.Earlier this month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye convened an emergency meeting under the Makkah alliance and agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in the Kingdom.
While the statement did not name any specific threat, the development came against the backdrop of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.In an interview aired on Sunday, the military’s spokesman said Pakistan is providing “whatever support is needed” to defend Saudi Arabia amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The new ambassador’s tenure is expected to focus on translating this historic defence solidarity into deeper economic, trade and people-to-people connectivity, as both countries maintain close diplomatic and security cooperation in a volatile regional environment.
