ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has designated senior diplomat Major General (Retired) Rajeh Albugami as new ambassador for Pakistan.
Highly placed diplomatic sources from Saudi capital Riyadh, told this correspondent Sunday that the Kingdom had formally sought agreemaunt (consent to appointment) for the new envoy. He had served as Saudi diplomat in London and Jordanian capital beside other postings.
Major General Rajeh Albugami will be the second ambassador from an Arab country having military background, posted in Islamabad. Earlier UAE had appointed Major General (retired) Salem Muhammad Salem Al-Bawab Al- Zaabi as its ambassador in Pakistan. He assumed the office five weeks ago on November 25, 2025.
The incumbent Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Maliki has been designated Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Algeria for replacing Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Bussairi, who has completed his four years term.
The posting of Saudi ambassador in Algeria’s capital is viewed highly significant.
Ambassador Nawaf Al-Maliki is among the longest serving ambassadors in Pakistan. He served here about 12 years, as he became defence adviser and later elevated as ambassador of his country on completion of his tenure in the defence arena. He too has military background since he is a retired rear admiral of Royal Navy of Saudi Arabia.
He has been very popular with the people here due to his affectionate manner. He earned a bachelor’s degree in military and marine sciences from King Fahd Naval Academy, the main naval academy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Royal Saudi Navy, located at the King Abdul Aziz Naval Base in Jubail. He also holds a master’s degree from Command and Staff College. Prior to his appointment as an ambassador, he served the Royal Saudi Navy.
As a navy official, he was promoted several times and became a rear admiral. He was appointed the military attache at the Saudi embassy in 2014. The outgoing Saudi ambassador is quite familiar with the situation in Pakistan and earned high respect in various sections of society.
Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Maliki played a remarkable role in strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan, especially in trade and economy and political sphere. The only visit of Crown Prince Prime Minister Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman to Pakistan took place during the stay of Ambassador Nawaf, while historic Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) of two countries in September last year was inked during his ambassadorship.
Ambassador Nawaf Al-Maliki has maintained that Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to its relationships with Pakistan and its people. It will spare no effort in standing with Pakistan and offering assistance and support in any test of time.
