New Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Al-Baqami Arrives in Islamabad

Saudi Arabia's new ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Rajeh bin Tami Al-Baqami, landed in Islamabad on Saturday to begin his new job. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad shared the news in a post on X. The embassy said he was sent to Pakistan by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and had come to start his duties.

At the airport, he was welcomed by Khushal Saeed, Assistant Director of the Protocol Department at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Several members of the Saudi embassy staff were also there to receive him.

His arrival comes at an important time. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are now working together more closely than ever on defence, money and regional security. For millions of Pakistani families with relatives working in the Kingdom, a change at the Saudi embassy is not just a small diplomatic event.

Who Is Dr Rajeh Al-Baqami?

Dr Al-Baqami is a retired major general of the Saudi armed forces. After leaving the army, he joined the Saudi Foreign Ministry with the rank of ambassador. He also holds a PhD in Human Resource Management from Brunel University London in the United Kingdom.

Some Pakistani media reports have described him as one of the few Saudi ambassadors with long experience in defence and security matters. That background could help him in Islamabad. Military ties have always been a key part of the friendship between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia announced his appointment on July 29. He was one of eight new Saudi ambassadors who took the oath of office in Jeddah. The oath was taken on behalf of King Salman, in front of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was also present, according to Pakistan Observer.

Before any ambassador can come, the host country must formally accept the name. Reports in July said Pakistan's Foreign Office had approved Dr Al-Baqami and informed Riyadh. At that time, he was expected to arrive in August.

Farewell to Nawaf Al-Malki

Dr Al-Baqami replaces Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, one of the best known foreign diplomats in Pakistan. Al-Malki served in Islamabad for nearly nine years. During his time, the two countries saw more high level visits, closer security work and a steady rise in Saudi investment plans.

On August 23, President Asif Ali Zardari met Al-Malki at the Presidency and thanked him for his role in building stronger ties. Media reports say Al-Malki has been named as Saudi Arabia's next ambassador to Algeria.

A Defence Pact That Changed the Relationship

The new envoy takes charge just over a year after a historic moment. On September 17, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh. Under this pact, an attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both.

The military link between the two countries is decades old. Pakistani officers have trained thousands of Saudi soldiers over the years, and Pakistani troops have served in the Kingdom. The 2025 agreement put this old friendship on paper in the clearest words so far.

Security cooperation has grown even more this year. Both countries are working closely on regional issues, including tensions involving Iran. Reuters reported that Pakistan sent military assets to Saudi Arabia earlier this year after security worries in the Kingdom increased. Full details of that deployment have not been made public.

Saudi Money and Pakistan's Economy

For ordinary Pakistanis, the money side of this friendship matters most. Saudi Arabia has helped Pakistan many times when its dollar reserves were running low. It keeps large deposits with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and supplies oil on deferred payment, which means Pakistan gets the oil now and pays later.

In April 2026, Saudi Arabia announced a fresh $3 billion deposit with the SBP and also extended its older $5 billion deposit. The new money arrived in parts during April. This came when Pakistan had to repay $3.5 billion to the United Arab Emirates, and its reserves were below the target set under its $7 billion IMF programme.

Then, in late July, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad told reporters that the $5 billion Saudi deposit had been rolled over for another three years. Reports at the time said Pakistan now holds about $8 billion in Saudi deposits. This gives Pakistan more breathing room on its foreign debt payments.

Saudi Arabia has also promised billions of dollars of investment in Pakistan under the Crown Prince's Vision 2030 plan. Both sides are trying to speed up these projects through the Pakistan Saudi Supreme Coordination Council. How fast these promises turn into real factories, mines and refineries will be one of the biggest tests during the new ambassador's term.

What It Means for Ordinary Pakistanis

Saudi Arabia is home to the largest group of Pakistani workers abroad. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, overseas Pakistanis sent a record $41.6 billion home. Saudi Arabia was the single biggest source, with about $9.78 billion, according to State Bank data.

Every year, lakhs of Pakistanis also travel to the Kingdom for Hajj and Umrah. Matters such as work visas, the problems of Pakistani workers and pilgrim travel are handled with the help of the Saudi embassy in Islamabad and its consulate in Karachi. A good working relationship with the new ambassador can make these things smoother for many families.

As is normal for new envoys, Dr Al-Baqami is expected to hand over a copy of his credentials to the Foreign Office first and later present them formally to President Zardari. No date for this has been announced yet. With his army background and Saudi Arabia's growing role in Pakistan's economy and security, the new ambassador has a busy and important job ahead of him.