Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Saudi Arabia’s Sovereignty and Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, saying Islamabad stands alongside Riyadh in safeguarding the Kingdom and the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites.

 

In a message marking Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day on September 23, the prime minister condemned recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people.

 

Shehbaz extended greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting what he described as the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

 

The prime minister said the bilateral relationship, rooted in shared faith, history and mutual trust, had developed into a broader strategic partnership. He also referred to the recently signed Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as part of this relationship.

 

Shehbaz, who is in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and development under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

 

Separately, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani congratulated the Saudi leadership and people on the National Day, describing Pakistan-Saudi relations as based on shared faith, history, mutual respect and people-to-people ties.

 

Gilani said the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement reflected the depth of bilateral relations and called for continued cooperation in areas including parliamentary affairs, trade, investment, energy, education, health and culture.

 

President Asif Ali Zardari also extended greetings to the Saudi leadership and people. In messages to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he said the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and Makkah Joint Defence Agreement had added a strategic dimension to the longstanding partnership.

 

Zardari said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintained close cooperation at bilateral, regional and international forums and expressed confidence that relations between the two countries would continue to expand across areas of mutual interest.

 

He also said he looked forward to welcoming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Pakistan and working with him to further develop bilateral cooperation.