Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to broaden cooperation in media, broadcasting, culture and tourism, following a meeting in Islamabad between Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Saudi Ambassador Raja bin Thamir Al-Baqmi. The two sides discussed turning their longstanding relationship into practical joint initiatives spanning cultural exchange, television, tourism and the fight against misinformation.
Welcoming the ambassador, Tarar congratulated him on his appointment and said relations between the two countries were reaching new heights. He pointed to the historic, religious and people-to-people foundations of the relationship, and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s cultural and tourism transformation, including the development of AlUla and the presentation of Diriyah’s historical heritage.
FAKTA
- Meeting: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Saudi Ambassador Raja bin Thamir Al-Baqmi, in Islamabad.
- Areas of cooperation: media, broadcasting, culture, tourism, public relations and information-sharing.
- Key proposals: Pakistani television dramas for Saudi audiences, exchanges of writers, artists, journalists and digital creators, and a joint working group.
- Other topics: countering misinformation, stronger fact-checking, and invitations for Saudi tourists, media representatives and influencers to visit Pakistan.
Drama, culture and creative exchanges on the table
Tarar proposed introducing popular Pakistani television dramas to Saudi audiences, saying the productions reflect family values, Eastern traditions and Islamic culture. He also suggested exchanges involving writers, poets, artists, musicians, journalists and digital content creators, alongside joint cultural events and the promotion of shared heritage through media platforms.
The discussions also covered tourism and public relations. Tarar invited Saudi media representatives, tourists and social media influencers to visit Pakistan, pointing to the country’s natural beauty and historical attractions as major tourism opportunities.
Joint working group and fight against misinformation
Both sides discussed closer cooperation against misinformation and negative propaganda, including better fact-checking mechanisms and content highlighting shared cultural values. Tarar proposed forming a joint working group made up of designated representatives and technical teams to develop practical initiatives and follow up on the discussions.
He also briefed the ambassador on the government’s efforts to engage social media influencers in public awareness campaigns, noting that a fuel relief campaign had received eight million views. Tarar praised the contribution of Pakistani citizens living in Saudi Arabia, recalling Farman Ali Khan, who died while saving people during the 2009 Jeddah floods.
Ambassador welcomes deeper partnership
Ambassador Al-Baqmi described Pakistan-Saudi relations, founded on mutual trust, respect and cooperation in political and military affairs, as a source of pride. He supported greater collaboration in the arts, literature, cultural events and media, and both sides expressed interest in turning the discussions into concrete projects that strengthen friendship and people-to-people contacts.
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