The Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister of Sindh, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and the Corps Commander Karachi on Monday night joined in wishing long life and good health to the Saudi leadership headed by Khadim Al Haramain Sharif King Abdullah Ibn Abdul and continued progress and prosperity of the Saudi people while extending greetings to Saudi Consul General in Karachi H.E.Dr Hassan A.
Attar at the Saudi National Day reception he hosted at a local hotel. The reception was held in advance because of the advent of Ramazan soon and the actual National Day falling on September 23, 2007.
The Saudi Consul General Dr Hassan Attar reciprocated by saying that the Saudi Arabian leadership led by Khadim Al Haramain King Abdullah and Crow Prince HRH Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz were always keen on the development of stronger than ever ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The cake-cutting ceremony was preceded by the playing of the national Anthems of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan while the entire audience stood to attention.
The leading civic figures of Karachi including businessmen, educationists, industrialists and pressmen attended the reception along with the diplomats of the different countries represented in Karachi. The guests included the diplomats of the GCC countries comprising Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar while the Iranian Consul General.
Zamani, the Indonesian Consul General. Mustakim, the Russian Consul General, the US Consul, the Malaysian Consul General, the Thai Consul General Joompal Manaschuang, the Consul General of Turkey Erdem Mutaf, the Consul General of Bangladesh, the Consul General of Poland Irenuez Makles, the honorary Consul Generals of several countries as also officials from the Saudi Arabian Consulate General including Yahya Hassan Mullah, Deputy Consul General, Officers of Saudi Assistant Military Attache and Saudi Naval Attache's Office as also many Saudi students attended the reception.
It may be mentioned here that it was 1932, after the unification of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom, the Royal decree was issued by King Abdul Aziz, founder of Saudi Arabia, declaring September 23 each year as the Saudi National Day. However the National day reception in Karachi was held earlier tonight because 23rd September falls in Ramazan, the month of fasting.
It may also be mentioned here the Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy the closest ties at the bilateral and multilateral levels and Saudi Arabia has always backed Pakistan's political integrity and identity as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and stood by Pakistan in times of crisis. The latest being the massive relief provided for earthquake victims in northern areas in 2005 and in the recent floods in Sindh and Balochistan.