Category: International News Impacting Pakistan

Saudi Arabia has introduced new workforce localization measures under its Saudization policy, marking another significant step toward strengthening employment opportunities for Saudi nationals. One of the most notable changes is the introduction of a minimum monthly salary of SAR 8,000 for Saudi engineers, alongside increased localization targets in the engineering sector. These reforms are aligned with the Kingdom’s long-term economic vision and aim to create sustainable, high-quality jobs for citizens while supporting private-sector growth.

UNDERSTANDING SAUDIZATION AND ITS PURPOSE

Saudization is a national labor strategy implemented by Saudi Arabia to increase the participation of Saudi citizens in the private sector. Historically, many technical and professional roles in the Kingdom were filled by expatriate workers. While this supported rapid development, it also created a reliance on foreign labor.

Through Saudization, the government requires companies to employ a defined percentage of Saudi nationals based on their industry and workforce size. The policy focuses on developing local talent, reducing unemployment among citizens, and ensuring that economic growth directly benefits the Saudi population.

These updated regulations reflect a shift toward quality employment, ensuring that jobs offered to Saudi professionals are financially viable, skill-based, and aligned with national development goals.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW ENGINEERING REGULATIONS

The latest update places strong emphasis on engineering professions, which are critical to Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, energy, construction, and industrial sectors.

Major Changes Include:

Minimum Salary Requirement: Saudi engineers must earn at least SAR 8,000 per month to be counted under Saudization quotas.

Localization Target: Companies are required to ensure that 30% of engineering roles are filled by Saudi nationals.

Company Coverage: The rules apply to private and non-profit organizations employing five or more engineers.

Professional Accreditation: Engineers must be officially registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers, ensuring professional competence and recognized qualifications.

Implementation Timeline: While announced at the end of 2025, companies have been given a six-month adjustment period before full enforcement begins.

The policy covers dozens of engineering disciplines, including civil, electrical, mechanical, industrial, architectural, marine, and electronics engineering.

WHY THE SAR 8,000 SALARY BENCHMARK IS IMPORTANT

Setting a minimum salary threshold serves several strategic purposes:

1. Financial Stability for Professionals

SAR 8,000 per month provides Saudi engineers with a stable income that reflects their education and technical expertise. This helps make engineering careers more attractive to young Saudis entering the workforce.

2. Preventing Token Employment

The salary requirement discourages superficial compliance, where companies might otherwise hire nationals at very low wages simply to meet quotas. Instead, it promotes meaningful and fair employment.

3. Encouraging Skill Development

By linking employment to professional accreditation, the policy incentivizes engineers to maintain certifications, enhance skills, and pursue continuous professional development.

Overall, the wage requirement raises employment standards while protecting the dignity and value of skilled labor.

IMPACT ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Private-sector companies will need to review their workforce planning strategies to comply with the updated Saudization rules. This includes:

Revising salary structures
Recruiting qualified Saudi engineers
Investing in training and onboarding programs
Aligning job descriptions with professional standards

While this may increase short-term operational costs for some employers, policymakers emphasize that a skilled local workforce can reduce long-term expenses related to turnover, recruitment, and dependency on overseas talent.

The government’s phased implementation approach allows businesses time to adapt without disrupting ongoing projects.

BROADER EXPANSION OF SAUDIZATION POLICIES

The engineering sector is not the only area affected by recent localization efforts. Saudi Arabia has gradually expanded Saudization targets across multiple industries, including:

Procurement and supply chain roles
Accounting and finance professions
Healthcare services
Retail and customer service sectors

In some professions, localization targets now reach 60% to 70%, reflecting the government’s confidence in the growing capabilities of the national workforce.

This structured expansion demonstrates a balanced approach—strengthening local employment while maintaining business continuity.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

1. Reduced Unemployment

By prioritizing Saudi nationals in skilled professions, the policy directly contributes to lowering unemployment rates among graduates and technical professionals.

2. Stronger Human Capital

Investing in local talent helps build long-term expertise within the country, supporting innovation and productivity across industries.

3. Sustainable Economic Growth

A stable, skilled workforce supports economic diversification and reduces dependence on external labor markets.

4. Alignment WITH VISION 2030

The reforms are closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which emphasize workforce localization, private-sector empowerment, and sustainable development.

CHALLENGES AND ADJUSTMENTS

Despite its advantages, the policy may pose challenges for some employers, particularly those accustomed to relying heavily on expatriate engineers. Finding qualified local talent, adjusting compensation frameworks, and meeting compliance requirements may require strategic planning.

However, government officials view these challenges as transitional and necessary for long-term economic resilience. Support initiatives, training programs, and partnerships with educational institutions are expected to play a key role in easing the transition.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

Saudi Arabia’s updated Saudization rules signal a clear commitment to building a skilled, well-paid national workforce. The SAR 8,000 minimum salary for engineers sets a new benchmark for professional employment and reflects a shift toward quality-focused localization.

As enforcement begins, the policy is expected to reshape hiring practices, encourage skill development, and enhance the role of Saudi professionals in key sectors. Over time, these reforms are likely to strengthen both the labor market and the broader economy.

By balancing workforce localization with professional standards and fair compensation, Saudi Arabia continues to move steadily toward a more inclusive and sustainable economic future.

Introduction
Saudi Arabia is globally recognized for its hot desert climate, vast sand dunes, and extremely high summer temperatures. However, in December 2025, the Kingdom experienced an unusual and widely discussed weather phenomenon — snowfall in several northern and central regions. Videos and images of snow-covered mountains and landscapes went viral on social media, leading to widespread claims that Saudi Arabia had seen snow “for the first time in 30 years.”

Which Areas of Saudi Arabia Experienced Snowfall?
The snowfall was mainly observed in northern and elevated regions of Saudi Arabia, where winter temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing.

Key Affected Regions
Tabuk Region:
Mountainous areas such as Jabal Al-Lawz experienced noticeable snowfall. This region lies at an elevation of over 2,500 meters, making it one of the coldest parts of the country during winter.
Hail Region:
Some higher-altitude areas in Hail reported snow and frost, an extremely rare occurrence for the region.
Northern Qassim and Northern Riyadh Areas:
While heavy snow accumulation was limited, cold conditions, frost, and occasional sleet were reported in elevated zones.
Most coastal and southern regions, including Jeddah, Makkah, and Jazan, remained warm and dry, showing how diverse Saudi Arabia’s climate can be.

Temperature Drop:
During this cold wave, temperatures dropped sharply across northern Saudi Arabia:
Mountain regions: Temperatures fell to around –3°C to –5°C during nighttime.

Northern cities: Recorded lows ranged between 1°C and 4°C.
Central regions: Experienced unusually cold nights, though mostly above freezing.
Western coastal cities: Continued to record temperatures near 28°C–32°C, highlighting extreme regional variation.

Such temperature drops are uncommon but not impossible during winter months when strong cold air systems move southward.

Is This Really the First Snowfall in 30 Years?

The statement that Saudi Arabia witnessed snow “for the first time in 30 years” is partly misleading.
Snowfall has occurred occasionally in northern Saudi Arabia, particularly in Tabuk, over the past few decades.
What makes the 2025 snowfall unique is its intensity, visibility, and geographic spread, especially in regions that rarely experience snow.
In some specific locations, this may indeed be the most significant snowfall in nearly three decades, which likely explains the widespread use of the “30 years” phrase.
In short, snow is not completely unprecedented in Saudi Arabia, but such widespread snowfall remains extremely rare.

Why Does Snow Occur in a Desert Country?
Saudi Arabia’s climate is mostly arid, but several factors can combine to produce snow:

1. High Altitude
   Mountainous regions naturally experience lower temperatures. When winter storms arrive, these areas are the most likely to receive snow.
2. Cold Polar Air Mass
   In December 2025, a strong polar cold front moved from northern regions toward the Arabian Peninsula, causing temperatures to fall dramatically.
3. Moisture Availability
   Snow forms when cold air meets sufficient atmospheric moisture. This rare combination occurred during the weather system that affected northern Saudi Arabia.
4. Winter Weather Systems
   Between December and February, Mediterranean weather systems can occasionally influence Saudi Arabia, bringing rain, hail, or snow to elevated areas.
   Public Response and Government
   The snowfall generated significant public interest:
   -Social media platforms were flooded with images and videos of snow-covered deserts and mountains.
   -Many residents traveled to higher elevations to witness the rare event.
   -Authorities issued weather advisories, warning about icy roads, reduced visibility, and extreme cold.
   -Safety instructions were shared to protect livestock, travelers, and vulnerable populations from harsh conditions.
   -Despite the excitement, officials emphasized caution due to unfamiliar driving conditions and freezing temperatures.
   Historical Perspective:
   While Saudi Arabia is among the hottest countries in the world, history shows that snow has occurred before:
   Northern mountainous regions have recorded snow on rare occasions.
   Frost and hail are more common than snow but still remain unusual.
   Most of the country continues to experience hot and dry conditions year-round.
   These events are typically short-lived and localized, which is why they attract major attention when they occur.
   Does This Mean Climate Change?
   One unusual snowfall does not automatically confirm climate change, but scientists acknowledge that global climate shifts can increase weather variability.
   Climate change can lead to more frequent temperature extremes.
   Unusual cold spells can occur alongside global warming due to disrupted atmospheric patterns.
   Long-term data is required to establish any direct link between snowfall events and climate trends.
   Experts recommend analyzing patterns over decades rather than drawing conclusions from a single event.
   Conclusion
   The snowfall in Saudi Arabia during December 2025 was a rare but real meteorological event, primarily affecting northern and high-altitude regions. While claims of it being the first snowfall in 30 years are partly exaggerated, the scale and visibility of the event were indeed unusual.
   This phenomenon highlights the diverse climate of Saudi Arabia and demonstrates that even desert nations can experience extreme winter weather under the right conditions. The event was safely managed, widely documented, and scientifically explainable — making it an exceptional moment in the Kingdom’s recent weather history.

Human washing machines are becoming a standout innovation in Japan’s personal care and healthcare industries. Built around Japan’s passion for robotics and convenience, these advanced bathing systems allow users to experience a fully automated wash that is gentle, efficient, and incredibly relaxing.

In many Japanese hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers, human washing machines are transforming how caregivers support patients with limited mobility. The machines use carefully controlled water pressure, rotating nozzles, warm mist, and automated cleansing cycles to clean the entire body without discomfort. This not only ensures hygiene and safety for the user but also helps reduce the physical workload placed on caregivers.

Modern Japanese models often include features like heated seating, aromatherapy, adjustable spray intensity, and touchscreen controls. These additions create a spa-like environment that promotes relaxation while maintaining high hygiene standards. As Japan’s population continues to age, demand for accessible, hands-free bathing solutions is expected to rise significantly.

With continuous innovation in robotics and smart home technology, Japan is shaping the future of automated personal care. Human washing machines are quickly becoming a symbol of how technology can enhance comfort, independence, and quality of life.

A massive fire at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po has killed at least 146 people and displaced thousands, marking the city’s deadliest blaze since 1948. The fire spread rapidly across seven high-rise towers due to bamboo scaffolding, mesh netting, and Styrofoam renovation materials that ignited and fueled the flames. Fire alarms reportedly failed, many elderly residents struggled to escape, and several renovation contractors have been arrested for manslaughter and corruption. Rescue operations lasted more than 44 hours as firefighters battled extreme heat reaching 500°C.

The devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex is more than an isolated tragedy — it is a painful indicator of deeper structural, regulatory, and societal failures that have been building for years. At the heart of this disaster lies a combination of aging public housing, lax safety enforcement, and renovation practices that prioritized speed and cost over human life.

For decades, bamboo scaffolding has been a hallmark of Hong Kong construction culture, but in an era of high-rise living, its risks have become increasingly evident. The fire demonstrated how quickly bamboo, plastic mesh, and Styrofoam insulation can transform a building into an uncontrollable inferno. These materials acted as fuel, helping the flames leap from one tower to another in minutes. Their continued use — despite years of warnings — reflects a troubling resistance to modernization in building standards.

Equally alarming is the failure of essential safety systems. Many residents reportedly never heard alarms, suggesting serious negligence in maintenance and inspection. In a residential complex where nearly forty percent of occupants are elderly, functioning alarms and evacuation systems are not just required — they are lifelines. The tragic loss of life shows what happens when those lifelines fail.

The arrests of renovation supervisors and individuals linked to corruption raise even deeper concerns. If shortcuts were taken or regulations ignored for profit, then this disaster is not just a natural tragedy — it is a human-made failure, created by carelessness and sustained by weak oversight. Public trust hinges on the government’s willingness to enforce accountability and introduce meaningful reforms.

Beyond the immediate response, Hong Kong must confront a long-standing issue: its reliance on outdated infrastructure and renovation materials in densely populated estates. This tragedy should serve as a catalyst for a complete overhaul of fire-safety requirements, renovation protocols, and building inspections. It is also a reminder that when a city grows vertically, safety standards must rise with it.

Ultimately, the Wang Fuk Court fire is a heartbreaking example of how preventable factors — ignored warnings, inadequate systems, and questionable construction practices — can converge into catastrophe. If Hong Kong is to prevent another disaster of this scale, the lessons from this fire must translate into urgent, long-term change rather than temporary outrage.