Hopes for amicable solution of Gulf crisis
ISLAMABAD/JEDDAH: ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has hoped that the ongoing rift between the Gulf states will be settled soon in the best interest of Muslim Ummah. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong commitment of the people and Government of Pakistan to sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and safety of Harmain al Sharifain.
During the meeting, King Salman thanked the Prime Minister for his visit and hailed Pakistan’s achievements against extremism and terrorism. He also pledged to continue support for Pakistan on all issues of interest, including matters of its national security. While expressing solidarity with the Kingdom and the people of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister said that the Kingdom had a very special place in the hearts of Pakistanis and that the Muslim world looked up to the King as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
King Salman thanked the Prime Minister for his visit and recalled the special nature of relationship between the kingdom and Pakistan ever since its independence. King Salman also said that the fight against extremism and terrorism is in the interest of all Muslims and the Ummah. The Prime Minister who was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has now come back to Pakistan.
Before leaving for Saudi Arabia on Monday, the PM chaired a envoy conference to discuss the GCC-Arab crisis. The ambassadors concerned including from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, Pakistan’s Ambassador to UN Maleeha Lodhi and other officials attended the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a stance on the issue after discussing with envoys regarding the ongoing situation. After the meeting, the prime minister said that Pakistan has deep and friendly relations with Saudi Arabia, adding that Pakistan will make honest efforts to ease the ongoing rift between Islamic countries. Agencies