DAMASCUS: President Hafez Al-Assad has expressed great appreciation of the people and Government of Pakistan for their unflinching support to the Arab cause. The Syrian President made this remark while receiving the letter of credence from Pakistan’s Ambassador, Mr. Saif-ur-Rehman Kiyani. … The President [said] he could never forget the deep and fraternal sentiments which he himself witnessed being expressed by the people of Lahore during the Islamic summit. He praised the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto. … He observed that Pakistan was a great nation with a great destiny, and was held in high esteem in the Islamic world.

[Meanwhile as per news agencies in Karachi,] “King Khaled Bin Abdel Aziz and Crown Prince Fahd are as staunch supporters of Pakistan as late King Faisal,” — the Saudi Ambassador, Mr Riyaz Al-Khatib said … while speaking at a meeting organised by the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Cultural Association to pay tribute to the late leader. The envoy, who arrived here from Islamabad yesterday, reassured Pakistanis that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will continue to be strengthened. … The Ambassador said King Faisal had a special place for Pakistanis in his heart.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2025