Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Pakistan's Consulate General Jeddah organized an impressive National Day Reception at Crown Plaza Hotel Jeddah recently.The event was attended by a large number of people including diplomats, Saudi high officials and distinguished members of the Pakistani community. The reception started with national anthems of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Later the Consul General welcomed the guests. Pakistan Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan underlined the importance of the 23rd March in the history of Pakistan and told that it was on 23rd March 1940 that dream for Pakistan was transformed into a practicable vision known as Pakistan Resolution. Within seven years the Muslims of subcontinent were able to achieve their objective under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Khan acknowledged the continuous support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to Pakistanis residing in the Kingdom and said that Pakistan places its friendship with Saudi Arabia on a very high pedestal. He said, "Our bilateral brotherly relations with the Kingdom have been a milestone. The people of Pakistan have great respect for the land of the two Holy Mosques, Saudi Arabia, and they hold the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince in high esteem." Pakistan fully supports the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom and is ready to contribute for its successful realization, he added. The Consul General appreciated the valuable contribution of resilient and dynamic 2.6 million Pakistani community residing in Saudi Arabia, who have contributed in the development of the Kingdom and, added that, "Pakistan Missions in the Kingdom have remained committed to provide the best possible consular and welfare services to all members of our diaspora. The mission received on average more than 2000 applicants daily and in 2016, provided services more than 560,000 of the community who visited us at our Missions. In addition, on the outreach to the community, our consular teams visit most of the major cities in the Kingdom." Pakistan Press Consular Arshad Munir said, Jamal Bakor Balkhoyor, director general, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Region, was chief guest of the occasion. The Consul Generals of USA, UK, France, Russia, Germany, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Tanzania, China, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, South Africa, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and Philippines attended the reception.
