Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Look to Connect People Through Art, Culture and Media
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Saudi Arabia's newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy, in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in television, entertainment and digital media, expanding their longstanding partnership beyond defence and economic relations into cultural exchanges.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Rajeh Tami Albugamy, in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The discussions focused on promoting Pakistani television dramas in Saudi Arabia, developing joint media productions and increasing exchanges between artists, journalists and digital content creators.
During the meeting, Tarar proposed introducing Pakistani television dramas to Saudi audiences, highlighting their portrayal of family values, Eastern traditions and Islamic culture.
“Pakistani dramas reflect family values, Eastern traditions and Islamic culture,” Tarar told the Saudi ambassador, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan.
The minister also expressed hope that cultural cooperation would bring the people of both countries closer.
“I hope our dramas, art and artists will bring the people of both countries even closer, and that future generations will carry this friendship forward,” Tarar wrote on X.
Both sides discussed exchanges involving writers, musicians, artists, journalists and digital media professionals to promote cultural understanding.
The meeting also explored opportunities for collaboration in television, films, entertainment and digital content production.
Tarar proposed establishing a joint working group comprising officials and technical experts from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms and combat misinformation.
The initiative aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries’ media sectors and promote the exchange of professional expertise.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have previously undertaken initiatives to strengthen cultural and media cooperation.
In 2020, Pakistan announced plans to introduce three popular television dramas — Dhoop Kinare, Tanhaiyan and Aahat— to Saudi audiences through dubbing.
In February 2025, Tarar met Saudi Information Minister Salman Al-Dossary in Riyadh, where both sides agreed to establish a joint committee for producing films, songs and documentaries.
The agreement also covered journalist exchanges and professional training opportunities.
The latest discussions seek to build on those initiatives and expand cooperation into digital media and entertainment.
Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest diplomatic and defence partners and hosts a large Pakistani expatriate community, whose remittances contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy.
The latest cultural initiatives reflect efforts by Islamabad and Riyadh to deepen people-to-people connections alongside their established strategic relationship.
The meeting also follows Ambassador Albugamy’s assumption of diplomatic responsibilities in Islamabad, succeeding Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.
