ISLAMABAD - Reaffirming to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi brethren in case of any threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the government assured the Saudi leadership that Islamabad would fully participate and contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution on Yemen and help bring peace to the restive country under the UN umbrella.
A high-level meeting to review the latest situation in Yemen was held here on Thursday under the chair of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by the political and military leadership of the country. The meeting was held soon after the return of the special delegation from Saudi Arabia which was dispatched under the head of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to reaffirm the government’s commitment to the security and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
Shahbaz Sharif, who led the delegation the other day (April 15) as a special envoy of the prime minister, briefed the participants about the outcome of their discussions with the leadership of the Kingdom. The objective of the visit was to express solidarity with the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia. During this visit, the delegation, which included the PM’s national security adviser, the chief of general staff and the foreign secretary, met Prince Muhammad bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince and Minister for Interior, and Prince Saud al-Faisal, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was apprised that Shahbaz Sharif reiterated to the Saudi leaders unequivocal support of the government and people of Pakistan for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia while reaffirming that the people of Pakistan stand ever ready to protect Harmain al-Sharifain and the people of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has always stood by Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia with Pakistan, he said.
The meeting was informed that the Saudi leaders acknowledged the warmth of relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the special bond of friendship between the two countries. The Saudi leadership also appreciated the April 13 statement of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif amplifying the resolution of the Parliament of April 10, 2015. The delegation held detailed discussions with the Saudi leadership on the situation in Yemen and condemned the violent overthrow of the legitimate government of President Hadi by the Houthis.
The civil-military leadership was further informed that the delegation welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution of April 14, 2015 calling upon the Houthis to end the use of violence that undermines political transition in Yemen, withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized, including the capital Sana’a, and relinquish all arms seized from military and security institutions.
The delegation also expressed its concerns on the reports of foreign support to the Houthis, and noted with satisfaction that the UN resolution requires all member states to prevent supply of arms and equipment to the Houthis and their allies, including by inspecting all cargo going to Yemen, if the state concerned has information that the cargo contains the supply of arms, prohibited under the UN resolution.
During their briefing the delegation members said they affirmed to the Saudi leadership that the government of Pakistan would fully participate and contribute to the implementation of the UNSC resolution, and discussed the possibility of expanding Pakistan’s cooperation with Saudi Arabia in compatibility with the UNSC resolution, and pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 11 of parliament’s resolution of April 10.
The meeting expressed satisfaction on the efforts being made by leadership, government and people of Pakistan to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi brothers, and play a constructive role for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Yemen.
The meeting expressed the hope that in accordance with the UNSC resolution, all Yemeni parties would resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, and all parties would take steps to agree and implement a consensus-based political solution to Yemen’s crisis in accordance with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative and its implementation mechanism and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference.
The participants of the meeting included Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, PM’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of General Staff Lt-Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmad and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.