Jeddah: Foundation Laid for New Building of Pakistan Consulate
Jeddah – The foundation-laying ceremony of the new chancery building of the Pakistan Consulate was held today in Jeddah. The four-story building, spread over 8,700 square meters, is estimated to cost approximately 33 to 34 million Saudi Riyals. The event was graced by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Ahmed Farooq, while Consul General Khalid Majid hosted the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Ahmed Farooq stated that the project is a significant milestone for providing improved diplomatic and consular services to the 1.8 million Pakistanis residing in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The building’s design reflects a blend of Pakistani, Saudi, and Islamic architecture and will be equipped with modern facilities and energy-efficient systems. The project is expected to be completed within a year.
Before the ceremony, allegations regarding the transparency of the tender process surfaced on social media and other platforms. A local company reportedly sent a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, claiming favoritism in awarding the tender. The company alleged that it submitted a bid of 26 million SAR (approximately 29 million SAR after taxes), which could have saved the Pakistani government 3 million SAR, but they were not allowed to submit the tender on time.
The consulate officials denied these allegations, stating that the company failed to submit its tender within the specified deadline. Despite the controversy, Consul General Khalid Majid successfully inaugurated the project and assured that the construction would be completed transparently and efficiently.