Premier renews invitation to Kuwaiti crown prince for official visit to Pakistan in phone call
A collage of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Mubarak Al Sabah. Photo: Reuters
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled on Wednesday, where the two leaders exchanged Eidul Fitr greetings, discussed regional developments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, during the call, the two leaders exchanged greetings on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, conveying their wishes for “peace, prosperity and well-being” for the people of both countries and the wider Muslim Ummah.
The statement said the prime minister also conveyed his “good wishes and respect” for the Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
During the call, which reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the recent attacks on Kuwait, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed “deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives” and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, stressing Pakistan’s “solidarity and support with the brotherly people of Kuwait”.
He emphasized the broader regional context and called on all countries to “work together to maintain peace and resolve differences through dialogue and diplomacy”.
Read more: Pakistan ready to play mediating role amid rising Middle East tensions
The statement added that to reaffirm the longstanding ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister renewed his invitation to the Kuwaiti Crown Prince to visit Pakistan at his convenience. It concluded that both leaders agreed to remain in close contact on matters of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan is ready to play a central role in mediating regional tensions following the attack on Iran by the US and Israel.
“Pakistan is engaged in discussions with various partners and we have always aimed to maintain balance in relations. I think we are in a position to play a mediating role with the countries of the region,” he said during an interview with Al Jazeera.
The information minister expressed Pakistan’s “desire to participate in de-escalating the situation” in Iran and prevent further instability in the region. He emphasized that because of these long-standing ties, Pakistan is always ready to help when needed.
Read also: Dar to attend the Riyadh talks as Pakistan pushes for diplomacy amid Middle East crisis
In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Riyadh on 18-19 March to attend a meeting with foreign ministers from regional countries, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
In a post on X, the foreign ministry said Dar would use the meeting to reiterate Pakistan’s diplomatic stance amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“During the meeting, the DPM/FM will express full support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of all brotherly countries in the region and call for an end to all attacks on their territory,” the statement said.
According to the State Department, Dar will reaffirm Pakistan’s call for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict and stress the need to resume dialogue and diplomacy. He is also expected to highlight Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives and its commitment to play a constructive role in tackling the region’s growing security challenges.
The visit comes as the US and Israel’s war against Iran intensifies, exacerbating instability throughout the Middle East. Iranian state television reported Wednesday that Iran targeted Tel Aviv with missiles carrying cluster warheads, describing the attack as retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani.
Earlier, on March 12, Prime Minister Shehbaz traveled to Riyadh for detailed discussions on the regional situation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
