Waqar Naseem 

RIYADH — Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhammad Naeem Khan has been appointed as the assistant secretary general of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).



Prominent businessman Chaudhry Faryad Ahmed accorded a grand farewell to the outgoing ambassador at Nafoura Banquet hall.



The farewell was attended by scores of dignitaries, including Deputy Head of Mission Khayyam Akbar, Head of Chancery Abbas Sarwar Qureshi, Defense Attaché Brig. Tahir Gulzar Malik, Air and Naval attaché Ibrahim Asad, Commercial Attaché Waseem Bajwa and Welfare attaché Hammad Abid of Pakistan Embassy.



Khan, who will be shouldering his new responsibilities from July 1 onwards, said: “Education is the agent of change. I’ll try my best to bring a positive change in the lives of Muslims from the platform of OIC where I’ve to represent Pakistan internationally and the other 57 member countries. I am thankful to the government of Pakistan for selecting me for such an important post."



He added: "We have lots of challenges ahead in the fields of health, science and technology. We have to bring an educational revolution in order to stand along with the modern world.



"Development in science and technology is the key to success, we have to modernize our educational institutions so that we may educate our students with the maximum skills; and then the time will come when the students from around the world would come to our educational institutions and we will teach them for newer technologies.”



He thanked the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia for all their support during difficult times especially when Pakistan was affected by natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes and was in desperate need of international funds.



Khan also praised Ahmed's marvelous contributions in helping with the collection of funds.



Khan was awarded with a memento shield and sword by Ahmed on behalf of PML-N Riyadh in recognition of his tremendous services as the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



Dr. Mahmud Ahmed Bajwa began the proceedings of the program with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur'an.



The program was conducted by renowned writer and poet Javid Akhtar Javid in a stylish manner. Hamd and Naat was presented by Asghar Chishty and Abdul Razzaq Tabassum respectively, and the poetic tribute to Khan was paid by Waqar Naseem Wamiq.



Former member of national assembly Chaudhry Nazeer Ahmed Jutt lauded the efforts of Khan. He said that he found him a very gentle, humble and a committed person who was always looking to serve the Pakistani community.



The guest speaker of the farewell was Mohammad Ashfaq Badayuni, a famous intellectual from Jeddah.



Badayuni also praised the efforts of Khan and said his timeless efforts would be remembered for the times to come. “Ambassador Naeem Khan has spent his nights and days in the service and betterment of the Pakistani community."



Shamshad Siddique, a senior businessman and member OPF board of governors, highlighted some of Khan's most successful accomplishments, such as managing the community during the Netaqat campaign, organizing funds for needy Pakistanis, weekly open house for Pakistanis in the Embassy where the ambassador listened to the problems of common Pakistani residents of Saudi Arabia, and the promotion of Pakistani culture and heritage through various programs.



Asghar Qureshi, president Pakistan Investor’s Forum Riyadh, Khan’s success in terms of bilateral trade and relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



Hafiz Abdul Waheed, Majlis e Pakistan, Rashid Mehmood Butt, SVP PML-N Riyadh, and Mian Aftab Ahmed, a promising businessman, warmly expressed their gratitude and admiration for the ambassador.



Javed Iqbal, a senior and prominent journalist, foresees the Khan’s appointment at the OIC as a remarkable breakthrough for the Muslim world.