Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to sign agreement on Rohingya Muslims’ legal status

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are set to sign an agreement addressing the legal status of Rohingya Muslims, aiming to resolve a long-standing issue, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Embassy of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where he was received by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki.

During the meeting, Interior Minister Naqvi and Ambassador Al-Malki discussed Pakistan–Saudi relations, with a particular focus on expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening coordination on security matters.

The Saudi ambassador strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Islamabad and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.

A key development in the meeting was progress toward resolving the long-pending issue of the legal status of Rohingya Muslims between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador thanked the Government of Pakistan for its constructive role in advancing the matter toward a solution. A formal agreement is scheduled to be signed in Saudi Arabia next week.

Both sides also reviewed ways to enhance cooperation between the interior ministries of the two countries.

“We are proud of our deep ties with the people of Pakistan,” Ambassador Al-Malki said. Federal Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha also attended the meeting.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Aamir Raza, held separate high-level meetings with the Saudi Chief of General Staff and senior Saudi defence leadership during his visit to the Kingdom, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.

According to ISPR, Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, Chief of General Staff (CGS) Pakistan Army, called on General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of General Staff, Royal Saudi Armed Forces, at Riyadh.

During the meeting, matters of mutual strategic interest were discussed, with a special focus on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability and advancing collaboration under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA).

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the long-standing fraternal ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, contributing towards regional peace, stability and self-reliance.