JEDDAH: Raja Ali Ejaz, a career diplomat, assumed his responsibilities as ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia on Monday.  Prior to this appointment he served as the consul general of Pakistan in New York. He also served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad as director general (United Nations) from January 2013 to January 2014.  He previously held the post of director in the Office of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (2004-2006), as desk officer for India (1996-1998) and desk officer for South East Asia and the Pacific (1991-1992).  He has served at various overseas assignments at the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul (1992-1996), at the High Commission for Pakistan in London (1998-2001), the Embassy of Pakistan in Bucharest (2001-2004) and the Embassy of Pakistan in Mexico (2006-2012).  He attended the Civil Service Academy in Lahore from 1990 to 1991. Ejaz’s appointment to the Kingdom comes at a time when Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are trying to strengthen their diplomatic relations. The two countries have traditionally enjoyed close military ties. Now, they are also building strong relationship in the areas of finance, commerce and investment.