Saudis for political unity in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD â€" Pakistan’s entire political leadership was represented at the lunch table of Saudi Ambassador here to receive King Abdullah’s message of ‘unity’ from high-profile emissary Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
Addressing Pakistani leaders, Muqrin, the Intelligence Chief of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said “it is a message conveyed in strongest possible manner that Pakistan’s leadership should unite for national solidarity, sovereignty, economic prosperity, and military strength.�
“I would also convey this message to President Asif Ali Zardari and would be taking the same message to Afghanistan for their internal unity inevitable for peace and stability in the region,� he added.
Earlier, as a preamble of his King’s message, he said, Saudi leadership considers Pakistan as both the vanguard and backbone of the Islamic world. “Not only Saudi Arabia but also the entire Muslim world looks forward to Pakistan’s military strength and political stability, for the leading role it ought to play,� he maintained.
Therefore, on behalf of King Abdullah, Prince Muqrin urged upon both the parliamentary and otherwise political leadership to burry internal differences and to unite for Pakistan’s progress in all regards. He said the King has sent him with this message because Pakistan was the pivot of hope for the entire Muslim world.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who was leading the government delegation to the Saudi Embassy welcomed the message and underlined the need for unity of the Muslim Ummah. He highlighted the Muslim world’s anticipations from the Saudi leadership to guide them to unity against the common enemy that is terrorism.
Earlier, in his welcome as well as introductory remarks, Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri eulogized that the entire Pakistani leadership was on his lunch table. He said the visit of Prince Muqrin was to indicate Saudi concerns and wishes for stability, strength, and prosperity of Pakistan.
Before and during the meal the visiting Intelligence Chief of Saudi Arabia had frank chat with all the leaders present on the occasion ranging from Premier Gilani to PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif. Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ahsan Iqbal, and Khwaja Asif were also part of the PML-N delegation. Farooq Sattar represented MQM.