ISLAMABAD: Pakistan considers Saudi Arabia a brotherly country and the relations between the two nations are getting stronger with each passing day, a representative body of the businessmen dealing with Umrah said. “Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are the two most significant nations of the Muslim world and their bilateral relations are historical and time tested,” All Pakistan Umrah Visa Travels Association said in a statement on Thursday. One of the manifestations of the relations is the presence of over two million Pakistanis in the Kingdom who consider Saudi Arabia as their second home, it noted. The association said that Pakistan is on top of the list among nations sending maximum number of Umrah pilgrims to the Kingdom. It said the number of Umrah travellers from Pakistan is increasing day by day. The association appreciated Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan Nawaf al-Maliki for his tireless efforts to smoothen the visa issuing process for the Umrah pilgrims. “Although it is extremely busy time vis-à-vis Umrah travel due to the fast approaching holy month of Ramazan, the visas from the Saudi missions in Pakistan are being issued on fast-track basis,” the statement said. “It is all due to personal efforts of Ambassador Nawaf al-Maliki who is committed to facilitate the intending Umrah pilgrims to the best possible extent,” it said. “Unlike the previous years when people had to wait for days and weeks to get their Umrah visas issued, currently the visa processing time has been cut to three to four hours only,” it said. The association said Ambassador Nawaf al-Maliki is paying special attention to deepening of relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia by enhancing the bilateral economic, social and cultural cooperation. “His efforts to liberalise visa regime by Saudi Arabia for the Pakistani businessmen are worth praising as it will help boost investment opportunities in both the countries,” it said. “The recently held Pakistan Investment Seminar in Riyadh was also made possible due to extraordinary support and cooperation extended by Ambassador Nawaf al-Maliki,” it noted. The association also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for always standing by Pakistan in the time of need. Published in Daily Times, April 20th 2018.