The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has awarded citizenship to Pakistani scientist Dr Mehmood Khan, who is known for being the chief executive officer (CEO) of Hevolution Foundation, which is working towards enhancing the lifespan of humans.
Dr Khan is a Pakistani at heart though he did not grow up in the country. He has previously worked for other biotechnology firms and has also served as the chief scientific officer at the research and development wing of PepsiCo.
Khan’s award of Saudi citizenship is the first of its kind, as the kingdom is notorious for not easily granting citizenship to anyone. However, since 2021, it has been awarding citizenship to individuals who have excelled in the fields of science, medicine, culture, sports, and technology.
This royal decree is in line with the Saudi government’s Vision 2030, whereby the government aims to diversify the country’s economy. The respect being given to these distinguished individuals is aimed at attracting the best talent in the country, and giving them the opportunity to work towards the development of Saudi Arabia.
Dubai – A Model for Pakistan
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the best case study to understand Saudi Arabia’s intentions. A fellow Gulf country, UAE was able to consolidate its position as a prominent member of the Middle East by focusing on various sectors of its economy. This allowed the country to move away from making oil its main source of revenue and to develop other sectors to attract investment.
Saudi Arabia has been trying to replicate that through various means. This includes trying to liberalise the kingdom by relaxing laws and starting extravagant initiatives like Neom, a futuristic city, unlike any city found in the world at the moment. These initiatives are aimed at boosting tourism and attracting investment in various industries in the kingdom.