WhatsApp users in Saudi Arabia were able to make voice and video calls again after a six-year hiatus. The reactivation of these features followed years of being blocked in the country due to regulatory reasons, raising questions about whether this change would be permanent or temporary.

The lifting of restrictions on voice and video calls by WhatsApp comes as a surprise, as there had been no prior official announcement from the Saudi authorities.

Technology expert Abdullah Al-Subaei stated that this move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its telecommunications and digital infrastructure, which could improve communication for users across the country.

WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, introduced voice calls in 2015 and video calls in 2016.

However, these features were blocked in Saudi Arabia in 2019 due to regulatory policies.

The sudden restoration of services has sparked conversations online about the potential future of digital communication in the kingdom, but no official statement has been made confirming whether the reactivation is permanent.

While users are welcoming the change, uncertainty remains over the long-term availability of the feature, as no government confirmation has been provided.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia has become the top destination for Pakistani travelers, with a 100% annual increase in the number of Pakistanis visiting the Kingdom, according to the popular travel service app “Wego” in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry is rapidly expanding, driven by ambitious mega-projects like NEOM, a futuristic city on the Red Sea, and The Red Sea Project, which emphasizes luxury and eco-tourism, poised to redefine global tourism standards.

Under its Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is making significant efforts to promote tourism, and it remains a favored destination for thousands of Pakistanis who travel annually for religious duties, especially during Ramadan when they visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah for pilgrimage and Umrah.

Wego recently introduced its online travel agent platform, “Book on Wego,” to its Pakistani users. The app reports that Saudi Arabia is a popular tourist choice among Pakistanis, with the number of travelers growing by more than 100% year-on-year.