Sharif denies Saudis gave him a ‘wish-list’ on Yemen

• PM says Pakistan will defend Saudi territorial sovereignty in case of any threat
• Lauds ‘unprecedented’ Chinese investment in Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday denied that Pakistan had been given a wish-list by Saudi Arabia over its aggression into Yemen, but reiterated that any threat to the sovereignty of the kingdom would be effectively responded.

The premier arrived in London on Friday on a three-day visit on the invitation of his British counterpart David Cameron.

Commenting on his visit to Saudi Arabia, Sharif said that despite the appearance of friction with Gulf countries over Pakistan’s stance on the Yemen conflict, talks were held in cordial environment and that no pressure was exerted by the Saudis for Pakistan to send its troops to Yemen. “It was agreed that Pakistan will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the brotherly Muslim country if its territorial integrity was threatened,” he said.

Regarding the deteriorating situation in Yemen and the resumption of airstrikes in the country, the premier said the issue should be resolved in pursuance with the UN Security Council resolution. The premier further said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are tied in strong bond of friendship and that these relations should be strengthened further.

On Chinese investment in Pakistan, Sharif claimed it was unprecedented and that such investment had not happened in decades, adding that even developed countries do not witness such progress.

In Pakistan, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that during Sharif’s meetings with Saudi officials, Pakistan had condemned the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of Yemen by Houthis and was deeply perturbed on external support of this process.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed that this “alarming and unacceptable” trend will destabilise Middle East and encourage militants everywhere to challenge the state authority with violence. It is, therefore, not only the responsibility of the coalition led by KSA to defeat the trend but that of the entire international community, said the FO.

Pakistan extended its support to the political objectives of the KSA-led coalition to restore unconditionally the legitimate government in Yemen and withdrawal of Houthis from the territories seized by them including the capital Sana’a. Pakistan also offered to cooperate in delivering humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen.

Furthermore, Pakistan expressed its willingness to play a positive role in promoting a peaceful resolution of the ongoing political crisis in Yemen and render its support for implementation of UN Resolution 2216.

MEETING WITH CAMERON:

Sharif is scheduled to meet Cameron Saturday (today) and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues, while he is also expected to exchange views with business executives and other political figures on the occasion.

The PM is also expected to meet British leaders and business executives during this visit.

The visit comes a day after the premier returned from Saudi Arabia.