The new Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Aziz Al-Ghadir, assumes his duties in Islamabad Wednesday in a climate of sensitivity over a number of security, economic and political related issues. Formerly ambassador to Turkmenistan for a period of eight years, Al-Ghadir spoke to Okaz newspaper of his new role and what he describes as the “strategic depth” that Pakistan represents to the Kingdom, as well as the two nations' strong historical ties. According to Al-Ghadir the Kingdom has “always looked to promote Pakistan's national unity and consolidate security and stability in the country, and stood by Pakistan given the close relations between the peoples of the two countries”. Al-Ghadir described his most important tasks over the coming weeks as addressing in his meetings with officials certain political and security issues, adding that the two nations were working well together on economic matters, notably between businessmen of the two countries in efforts to improve trade relations. Al-Ghadir, who succeeds in the post Al-Awadh Assiri, now Saudi ambassador in Lebanon, will present his credentials as ambassador to Foreign Minister Mahmoud Quraishi on Thursday before presenting them to the President of Pakistani Asif Ali Zardari, and then begin his duties with a series of political events and meetings with Pakistani ministers. Al-Ghadir first joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1405H (1984-85), and two years later was appointed to the Kingdom's embassy in Rome, a tenure which lasted five years, during which he worked for three years as deputy ambassador. Al-Ghadir has also held the posts of deputy director of the Cultural and Scientific Administration and manager of Bilateral Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as director of the Saudi Schools Administration Abroad and Foreign Schools in the Kingdom.
