Arab News Editor, Faisal J. Abbas, hails Pakistan’s ‘Golden Era’ with Saudi Arabia, calls transformation ‘Phenomenal’

Faisal J. Abbas, one of the Arab world’s most prominent media figures, says Islamabad has shifted from being seen as a source of problems to a source of solutions on the world stage.

By Imran Malik | MediaBites Pakistan

Saudi Arabia’s top English-language media voice has offered a sweeping endorsement of Pakistan’s global standing, describing bilateral ties between Riyadh and Islamabad as entering a “honeymoon period or a golden era.”

Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, made the remarks in an interview given to Pakistani media outlets, praising what he called a “phenomenal” transformation in how the world now views Pakistan.

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From Problem to Solution

“Just a few years ago, Pakistan was seen globally as a source of problems,” Abbas said. “Now it is seen worldwide, including in the United States, certainly in the Trump administration, as a source of solutions.”

He specifically highlighted the standing of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting that both command considerable respect in Saudi Arabia.

“There’s a lot of trust in the field marshal and the prime minister,” Abbas added, “but they are also among the few people that President Trump seems to have a positive relationship with. And you know as well as I do that is very rare in today’s context.”

A Rising Defence Partner

Abbas pointed to Pakistan’s emerging role as a regional security provider, noting the country is signing military export deals with countries across the region.

“It is positioning itself as a reliable defence partner,” he said, describing Pakistan’s trajectory as “fascinating.”

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Historic Ties, Renewed Warmth

While acknowledging the deep-rooted historical and brotherly bonds between the two nations, Abbas said current relations represent something even more significant.

“I genuinely do believe that the bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are going through a honeymoon period or a golden era,” he said.

Who Is Faisal J. Abbas?

Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of the Riyadh-based Arab News, the leading Middle East English-language daily. Under his leadership, the paper, established in 1975, relaunched with a more global and digital direction, expanding its international presence through a large network of correspondents and regional bureaus worldwide.

He was appointed Editor-in-Chief in September 2016, following an announcement by SRMG’s chairman, with a declared mandate to make Arab News “more global, more digital.”

Prior to joining the newspaper, Abbas served as Editor-in-Chief of the Dubai-based English-language service of Al Arabiya News Channel. He is a renowned columnist on Arab international affairs and has conducted interviews with a number of world leaders, and he appears regularly on international media to comment on regional affairs.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Lebanese American University and a master’s in marketing communications from the University of Westminster in London.

Among his accolades are the London-based Next Century Foundation’s Cutting Edge Award for extraordinary efforts in bridging the communication gap between the West and the Arab World, and the British Council’s Social Impact Award for UK alumni in Saudi Arabia. He also serves as an Editorial Board Member at Al Arabiya and Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Journalists Association.

Abbas has given talks at some of the world’s most reputable academic institutions, including Cambridge, LSE, and SOAS, and participates in major conferences organized by the World Economic Forum, Arab Media Forum, and the Aspen Institute.