Saudi Foreign Minister arrives in Islamabad : FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir arrived in Pakistan on Thursday to discuss the prevailing situation,  FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed on Wednesday.

Al Jubeir will hold comprehensive discussion on the Indo-Pak tensions with his Pakistani counterpart.  

The Saudi foreign minister would also meet Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit.

Al Jubeir was scheduled to land in Islamabad on March 1 (Friday), but he  delayed the visit. 

The reason behind the change in the schedule was not stated. 

His visit was being considered the most important amid rising tensions between Pakistan and India as he was coming with a message from Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Speaking with private  News Channel, Qureshi said that  Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had won the hearts of Pak nation as he had termed Pakistan his second home.

Last month, the Saudi crown prince paid his first state visit to Pakistan since becoming the heir to the throne in 2017.

Responding to a question regarding the ongoing situation between Pakistan and India, FM Qureshi said: "We have given positive signals to the neighbouring country for restoring peace in the region, including sending the High Commissioner back to New Delhi and restoring weekly contact at the military operations directorates level".

The foreign minister said the government of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India believed that good relations with Pakistan might lead to their defeat in the general election.

He also thanked the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for playing a positive role in de-escalating the situation between Pakistan and India.

The minister commended the role of China, Turkey and Russia in defusing the tension between the two countries in the post-Pulwama incident.

"China is our friend and we seek each other’s advice on any emerging situation,” he said.

Pakistan was ready for peace with India, but at the same time it was fully prepared for its defence, he added.