PROVINCE REPORT
PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday urged the Saudi government to launch direct flights from Peshawar to Jeddah, Madinah and Riyadh and establish a Saudi consulate in the provincial capital to facilitate pilgrims, workers and other travelers.
He made the remarks while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the new Saudi Airlines (Saudia) office in Peshawar, which he jointly inaugurated with Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malkiy.
The ceremony was attended by Saudia Country Director, officials of the Saudi Embassy, travel agents and members of the business community.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kundi welcomed the Saudi ambassador to Peshawar and termed the opening of the new Saudia office a positive development for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the facility would provide improved travel services to people of the province, particularly Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and those travelling to Saudi Arabia for employment.
The Governor said a large number of people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa travel to Saudi Arabia every year and stressed that direct flights from Peshawar to Jeddah, Madinah and Riyadh had become a pressing need.
He also requested the Saudi Ambassador to facilitate the establishment of a Saudi consulate in Peshawar, saying it would significantly ease access to visa and consular services for the people of the province.
Governor Kundi said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed historic and brotherly relations based on mutual trust and cooperation, adding that the Kingdom had always stood by Pakistan in difficult times. He also expressed confidence that enhanced business-to-business contacts would further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Ambassador Al-Malkiy presented a commemorative shield to the Governor.
Earlier, the Saudi Ambassador visited the Governor House, where Governor Kundi received him warmly, presented Khattak Dance.
During their meeting, the two discussed the longstanding bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and matters of mutual interest.
The Governor briefed the Ambassador on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mineral, oil and gas resources, hydropower potential, and the historical significance of Peshawar as the cradle of the ancient Gandhara civilization.
Ambassador Al-Malkiy appreciated the hospitality extended to him at the Governor House and praised Governor Kundi’s efforts to project a positive image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said Saudi Arabia valued its enduring friendship with Pakistan and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow stronger.
The Ambassador also recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book, while Governor Kundi presented him with a traditional handcrafted wooden souvenir from Dera Ismail Khan.
