ISLAMABAD: The Saudi Royal Court has announced the death of Prince Nawaf bin Nayef bin Mamdouh bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported the development on Tuesday. The prince passed away in Riyadh.
The Royal Court issued an official statement confirming the demise and detailing arrangements for funeral prayers and burial.
According to the statement, funeral prayers will be held at a mosque in Riyadh following Asr prayer. The burial will take place at Al-Oud Cemetery, the traditional resting place for many members of the Al Saud family.
Prince Nawaf bin Nayef, a senior member of the Saudi royal family, was the son of the late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz. He held various advisory and administrative roles within the royal establishment over the years.
The announcement has drawn condolences from across the Gulf region and beyond. Several Pakistani officials and diplomatic sources in Islamabad expressed sorrow over the passing of the Saudi prince.
Saudi Arabia maintains deep strategic and economic ties with Pakistan. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $6.5 billion in recent fiscal years, with significant Saudi investments in Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure sectors.
The kingdom has also provided substantial support to Pakistan during economic challenges, including deferred payment facilities for oil imports worth billions of dollars.
Prince Nawaf’s death comes at a time when Saudi Arabia continues major domestic reforms under Vision 2030. The kingdom is advancing large-scale projects including NEOM, Red Sea tourism developments, and diversification of its economy away from oil.
Official sources in Riyadh have not disclosed the cause of death or the prince’s age at the time of passing. Senior members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are expected to attend the funeral proceedings.
In Pakistan, the Foreign Office has conveyed official condolences to the Saudi government. Pakistani diplomatic missions in the kingdom have been instructed to coordinate with Saudi authorities for any support required by Pakistani expatriates during this period.
The passing of senior Saudi royals often prompts reflection on the kingdom’s internal succession dynamics, though no immediate changes in governance structure are anticipated from this development.
Regional observers note that such events reinforce the importance of stability within the Al Saud family, particularly as Saudi Arabia expands its diplomatic and economic footprint globally.
Further updates regarding memorial events and official mourning periods are expected in the coming hours.