- King Salman, PM Sharif express satisfaction at outcome of talks, agree to further expand defense, security and intelligence cooperation
- PM Sharif says sovereignty and territorial integrity of KSA imperative for Pakistan, can’t remain bystander against efforts to destabilise the Kingdom
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) King Salman Bin Abdulaziz and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have expressed satisfaction over their discussions held Thursday where they reiterated commitment to further enhance bilateral relations and expand existing defense, security and intelligence cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Friday.
Accompanied by Crown Prince Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Crown Prince and Minister for Interior Prince Mohammad Bin Naif, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal, Defence Minister Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and other senior members of the Saudi Arabian government, King Salman Thursday received Sharif who was accompanied by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Shareef, SAPM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, foreign secretary and other senior civil and military officials.
The prime minister held a detailed meeting with King Salman which was followed by a meeting with the crown prince. The deputy crown prince and Defence Minister Prince Mohammad Bin Salman also called on the prime minister.
Separately, Defense Minister Asif and COAS Gen Sharif also held an extensive meeting with the Saudi defense minister and senior officials of the ministry.
Later on, a meeting was also held between PM Sharif and the President of Yemen Mansoor al Hadi.
During these meetings, Pakistan expressed its deep concern at the increasing threats to regional peace and stability in the Middle East and emphasised that there was a dire need to ensure that the region did not get further destabilised by terrorist groups and other non-state actors, the FO statement said.
It was underscored that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of KSA was a policy imperative for Pakistan which could not remain a bystander against efforts to destabilise the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. PM Sharif reiterated that any aggression against Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Pakistan.
Moreover, Pakistan 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.
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.
Besides people to people, economic and political relationship, Pakistan and KSA have a robust and multifaceted defense relationship, in line with the aspirations of both the peoples. The Saudi side acknowledged tremendous sacrifices made by Pakistan while combating terrorism and appreciated Pakistan’s contribution in making the region in particular and world at large a safer place.
PM Sharif expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation. He reiterated his invitation to the king to visit Pakistan at his earliest.
