Saudi Arabia’s mission in Islamabad will now complete visa applications for Pakistanis within a single day, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said after meeting the kingdom’s new envoy to Pakistan.
The minister named the change during talks with Dr Rajeh bin Tami Al-Baqami, who has freshly taken up the ambassador’s post. Malik told the meeting that the embassy had begun clearing applications on the day they are filed, a shift meant to cut waiting time for people travelling to the kingdom for work, family visits or Umrah and Hajj-related trips.
Energy and minerals on the agenda
Beyond travel paperwork, the two sides reviewed how to deepen joint work in the petroleum and mining fields. Discussion ranged across storing crude, upgrading refineries, securing energy supplies, and opening space for mining and mineral projects—areas where Saudi capital and Pakistani resources often meet.
Malik also asked Khalid al-Mudafier, Saudi Arabia’s vice minister for mining, to take part in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad on 12 and 13 November. The invitation signals Islamabad’s push to draw Gulf partners into mineral exploration and related industry.
What the envoy and minister said
Dr Al-Baqami praised Pakistan’s years of backing for the kingdom and said the two countries stand with each other in every situation. He linked existing defence and energy arrangements to hopes for calmer regional politics and stronger growth.
Malik, for his part, said Pakistan values its long bond with Saudi Arabia and wants that partnership widened across strategic sectors. Officials on both sides framed the military and energy frameworks they already share as a platform for broader stability and economic cooperation.
What travellers should know
The same-day visa offer applies at the Saudi embassy in Islamabad for Pakistani applicants, according to the minister’s announcement. Sources did not spell out fees, document lists, or whether every visa category qualifies, so travellers should still confirm requirements with the mission before applying.
For people who once faced multi-day waits, finishing paperwork in one visit could ease planning for flights, leave from work, and family travel. Separately, any concrete oil-storage, refinery or mining deals that follow these talks would matter for jobs and investment over a longer horizon, though no new contract figures were released at the meeting.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saudi embassy Islamabad ab Pakistani logon ke visa applications usi din khatam kar sakti hai. Petroleum minister ne naye Saudi ambassador se milne ke baad yeh baat batayi. Dono mulk oil storage, refinery, energy aur mining par bhi mil kar kaam barhana chahte hain. Jo log Saudi jate hain, un ke liye paperwork thori tez ho sakti hai—lekin fee aur zaroori papers embassy se confirm kar lein.
