ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A high-level delegation led by the Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif left Islamabad on Tuesday for Saudi Arabia to discuss important issues in the context of on-going Middle East crisis.
The delegation also comprised the Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security
and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and senior military officials including the Chief of General Staff of Pak Army Lieutenant General Muhammad Ashfaq and Deputy Chief of AIR Staff.
The defence minister said in a statement prior to his departure that Pakistan will take all measures to safeguard territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
The sources said that the Pakistani delegation will meet Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz and the Saudi Defence Minister in Riyadh besides meeting other high-ranking Saudi officials for discussion over the crisis in Yemen.
The delegation is also expected to meet the leadership of Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the possibility of enabling a truce in Yemen.
On Monday, Pakistan called upon the United Nations, the OIC and the international community to play a constructive role in finding a political solution of the Yemen crisis.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched military operations including air strikes in Yemen to counter Iran-backed Houthi forces besieging the southern city of Aden.
Later on Saturday, in a telephonic conversation held with the Saudi king Shah Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the Pakistani premier assured him of Pakistan’s all out support.
The prime minister discussed the issues of mutual interest and regional situation, and asserted that “all potentials of the Pakistani Army are offered to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.
