‘Saudis scared of Houthis’ 500-km range missiles’

• Saudi minister gives Pakistan evidence of threat to Harmain Ash-Sharifain but information minister does not know about it
• Saleh bin Abdulaziz says Saudi Arabia respects Pakistani parliament’s decision

The visiting Saudi Arabian Minister for Religious Affairs Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al-Sheikh has told the government about the nature of threats posed to Saudi Arabia and Harmain Ash-Sharifain, claiming that Houthi rebels had installed missiles having a range of 500 kilometres, Pakistan Today has learnt on authority.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, however, said that he was not privy to the information. “I don’t think that any such information has been shared by the visiting Saudi Arabian dignitary. Not to my knowledge,” Senator Pervez Rashid maintained.

A source in the Saudi Arabian embassy told Pakistan Today: “The Saudi minister told the government that Houthi rebels were being backed by a Gulf state which had despatched some missiles to Houthis. These missiles have already reached Yemen and have been installed.”

The source added that the minister further said that the missiles have a range of 500 kilometres and many Gulf states may be targeted. “But the real threat is posed to Saudi Arabia,” the source quoted the Saudi Arabian minister.

“Since these missiles directly threaten the security of Saudi Arabia, its people and especially the ‎two holy mosques of Harmain Ash-Sharifain, Pakistan must provide support to Saudi Arabia,” the source quoted the minister as urging the Pakistani officials.

The visiting dignitary also reportedly shared the same information with the political leadership of Pakistan at a dinner hosted at the Saudi embassy.

The dinner was attended by around 25 politicians and others including Fazlur Rehman, General (Retd) Hamid Gul, Maulana Samiul Haq and others.

Saudi Arabia respects Pakistan’s decision:

Meanwhile, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz on Monday said he believed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will continue to strengthen their historically strong brotherly ties.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Yousuf, Senator Sajid Mir and MNA Hafiz Abdul Kareem, the Saudi minister said that his country respects the people of Pakistan as well as the parliament. He said that the decision of Pakistan’s parliament was its own internal matter and every country has the freedom to make such decisions.

Sardar Yousuf said both countries will work towards reforming Arabic instruction in seminaries.