Pakistan assures support to 34-member military alliance

Saudi foreign minister meets PM, COAS, Sartaj; commends Pakistan’s efforts for regional

stability; PM vows to safeguard Saudi Arabia against territorial threats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday assured its support for the Saudi Arabia-led military alliance of 34 Muslim countries in the field of training, intelligence-sharing, capacity building and developing a counter narrative.

The alliance was constituted by Saudi Arabia last month. The assurance was given by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his meeting with visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmad Al-Jubeir who called on him at the PM House.

Nawaz assured the Saudi government that the people of Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Saudi Arabia against any threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the kingdom. He affirmed that the people of Pakistan held the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in high esteem and also had deep respect for the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques. 

According to the Foreign Office, during his visit, the Saudi foreign minister called on the prime minister and held delegation-level talks with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. He also met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters (GHQ). 

The foreign minister briefed the prime minister on details of the Islamic coalition, announced by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism. The prime minister stated that Pakistan welcomes Saudi Arabia’s initiative and stressed that Pakistan supports all such regional and international efforts to counter terrorism and extremism. The prime minister called for further strengthening and expanding bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in all fields, including defence, security, economic and commercial cooperation. Nawaz urged intensified efforts to further boost bilateral trade. 

The prime minister also urged increased Saudi investment in Pakistan, especially in the energy sector where Pakistan offers an attractive investment regime. The Saudi foreign minister briefed the prime minister on the ongoing programs to enhance Saudi investment in critical sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

Al-Jubeir briefed the prime minister on the recent situation in the kingdom’s relations with Iran. Pakistan expressed deep concern at the escalation of the situation and condemned the burning down of the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Pakistan said it believes in respect for international norms and adherence to principles of non-interference. The prime minister called for the resolution of differences through peaceful means in the larger interest of Muslim unity in this challenging time. 

The visiting foreign minister in his meeting with Sartaj Aziz discussed ways and means to further expand areas of bilateral cooperation. The two sides also discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields. Both sides agreed to hold political consultations twice a year alternately in Islamabad and Riyadh. Views were also exchanged on fighting terrorism and extremism. The adviser briefed the Saudi foreign minister on the successful campaign that Pakistan has waged against the twin menace of terrorism and extremism.

The two sides underscored the need to develop jointly a counter narrative against extremism and terrorism with the help of the Ulema. The two delegations also discussed regional and global issues of common concern.

It was agreed that both countries would make a concerted effort to promote multi-faceted cooperation and work together to defeat the common enemy — terrorism and extremism. All the meetings were held in an atmosphere of warmth, friendship and cordiality that characterises the historic and fraternal relations between the two countries.

Sartaj Aziz also hosted a dinner in the honour of the visiting foreign minister of Saudi Arabia and his entourage. It was also attended by some federal ministers and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

Sartaj Aziz said the Saudi foreign minister has made it clear that the alliance has been established to eradicate terrorism and Pakistan has been supporting the efforts to eliminate terrorism. He said Pakistan has been providing assistance to various countries for fighting out terrorism.

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan would attend the summit of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to be held in April and it will be hosted by Turkey. Tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia would come up there for discussion. Pakistan hopes that it shouldn’t escalate further. 

To a query, Sartaj Aziz said that the membership of the alliance is voluntarily and every member country would determine its role in it at its own. He said that concern has been shown by Pakistan on the tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He termed the visit of the Saudi foreign minister as useful who stayed in Pakistan about six hours before returning home.

In a meeting with General Raheel Sharif and the Saudi foreign minister, the regional security situation came under discussion, ISPR said.

The Saudi foreign minister lauded Pakistan’s phenomenal successes in the fight against terrorism and efforts towards regional stability.