ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has appointed Dr Rajih Al-Baqmi as its new ambassador to Pakistan, according to informed sources.

Sources said Dr Al-Baqmi was among eight newly appointed Saudi ambassadors who took the oath of office before Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman earlier this week.

A retired major general, Dr Rajih Al-Baqmi will succeed Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malki as Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Pakistan.

Dr Al-Baqmi previously served in the Saudi Armed Forces, retiring with the rank of major general. He is regarded as a senior Saudi diplomat and is among the few Saudi ambassadors with extensive expertise in defence and security affairs, sources added.

His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are further strengthening their longstanding bilateral relations across multiple sectors, including investment, defence, trade and economic cooperation.

Sources said Dr Al-Baqmi’s extensive background in defence and security is expected to further reinforce the already close strategic and security cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.