PM reiterates Pakistan's commitment to Saudi territorial integrity

ISLAMABAD: Meeting the Saudi king on Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated that any aggression against Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Pakistan.

A statement issued today by the Foreign Office following the prime ministers one-day visit to Riyadh said Pakistan will not remain a bystander against efforts to destabilise the Kingdom.

The visiting high-level delegation – which included Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry – agreed on further expanding existing defense, security and intelligence cooperation with Saudi Arabia.

“Pakistan expressed to the Saudi leadership 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 destabilized by terrorist groups and other non state actors,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Sharif met King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who was accompanied by Crown 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 government.

The Pakistani delegation underscored that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia was “a policy imperative for Pakistan”.

The Foreign Office statement said that Sharif held a detailed meeting with King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud which was followed by meeting with the Crown Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz.

The Deputy Crown Prince and Minister for Interior Prince Mohammad Bin Naif and Defence Minister Prince Mohammad Bin Salman called on Sharif separately.

Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif also held an extensive meeting with the Saudi Defense Minister and senior officials of the Defense Ministry.

Pakistan condemns violent overthrow of Yemeni government

Later, a meeting was also held between the prime minister and the President of Yemen, Mansoor al Hadi. During the meeting, Pakistan condemned the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of Yemen by Houthi rebels.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed that this alarming and unacceptable trend will destabilise the 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 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to defeat the trend but that of the entire international community,” the statement said.

Pakistan extended its support to the political objectives of the Saudi-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.

The delegation 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.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also agreed to further expand the existing defense, security and intelligence cooperation, said the statement.

Both sides reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation on this issue.
According to the statement, 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 and better place”.

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction at the discussions held during the meeting and reiterated their commitment to further enhance bilateral relations, it said.