PM assures MBS: Pakistan stands firm with KSA; CDF Munir, Dar help Prime Minister in discussion; Talks focus on Iran attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. Photo: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured Saudi Arabia of Pakistan’s full “solidarity and support” during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, as Islamabad stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East amid continued Iranian attacks on Gulf states.
The prime minister, who rushed to Saudi Arabia amid a worsening regional situation, held a limited meeting with the Saudi crown prince, who also serves as the kingdom’s prime minister, according to a statement issued by the prime minister’s office.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also present during the talks.
An official press release issued by the PM’s office gave limited information on the nature and scope of the discussions. Sources said, however, that there were in-depth discussions on the current situation, with particular reference to Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia.
On the day the prime minister traveled to Jeddah, Saudi defense officials said they intercepted several missiles and drones fired by Iran.
“At the beginning of the meeting, Shehbaz conveyed his respectful greetings and best wishes to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and expressed appreciation for the Kingdom’s longstanding support to Pakistan,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” to Saudi Arabia during what the statement described as challenging times.
Both leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on recent developments in the region and agreed to work together for regional peace and stability.
“The Prime Minister assured His Royal Highness that Pakistan will always stand firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and strive for their mutual desire for peace in the region,” the statement said.
The meeting took place during a previously unscheduled one-day visit by the prime minister to Saudi Arabia, which officials said was part of Pakistan’s diplomatic ploy to help ease tensions between Iran and the Gulf states.
The hasty trip came a day after the prime minister had a telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reflecting Islamabad’s growing concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the region.
Officials said Pakistan was walking a delicate diplomatic line as the conflict entered its third week. While Islamabad maintains close strategic and security ties with Riyadh, Iran remains Pakistan’s immediate neighbor with whom it shares complex political, economic and security relations.
The diplomatic sources said Islamabad had stepped up contact with key regional capitals amid fears that continued Iranian missile and drone attacks on the Gulf states could spark a wider regional conflict.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Pakistan has urged Tehran to avoid attacking Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, warning that such actions could significantly escalate tensions.
Iran’s president had earlier lamented the Gulf countries and hinted that Tehran would refrain from attacking them unless it was attacked first. However, reports of continued attacks on Saudi Arabia and other neighboring states have raised fears of further escalation.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi earlier said the prime minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia was part of ongoing coordination between the two countries on regional peace and security issues.
“The Prime Minister’s visit must be seen in the broader context of Pakistan’s efforts to advocate and facilitate an early cessation of hostilities and violence in the region with the aim of paving the way for dialogue and diplomacy,” Andrabi said.
During Wednesday’s phone call with the Iranian president, Shehbaz exchanged Ramazan greetings and discussed the evolving regional situation.
The prime minister also condoled the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and congratulated the Iranian leadership on Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s assumption of responsibility.
The Foreign Office reiterated that Pakistan had condemned the attacks against Iran but had also strongly condemned Iranian attacks on the Gulf states, underscoring Islamabad’s attempt to maintain a balanced stance amid the deepening crisis.
“As you know, Pakistan had condemned the unjustified attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Andrabi said, referring to previous attacks carried out by the United States and Israel.
“At the same time, Pakistan also strongly condemned the attacks by Iran against the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, and stands in solidarity with all these countries,” he added.
Pakistan also expressed concern over attacks targeting other regional states, including Türkiye and Azerbaijan, and warned that such developments could push the region towards further escalation.
Officials said Islamabad had remained in close contact with several regional capitals as part of its diplomatic outreach.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has held several talks with his Iranian counterpart, while maintaining frequent contact with leaders and officials in the Gulf countries, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The State Department said Pakistan was trying to play the role of “bridge builder” by encouraging restraint and maintaining open channels of communication between regional capitals.
“Our main position on issues of sovereignty, international law and the UN Charter, and on dialogue and diplomacy, is respected in regional capitals,” Andrabi said.
“This allows us to maintain communication channels between the relevant capitals,” he added.
