ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A high-level meeting was held in Islamabad on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss recent developments in the Middle East
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The meeting resolved that any threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Pakistan.
During the meeting, the prime minister said that Pakistan enjoys close and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia as well as other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and attaches great importance to their security.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Advisor on the National Security Sartaj Aziz, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
It was decided in the meeting that a delegation comprising the Defence Minister and the Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security will visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow to assess the situation.
The senior representatives from the armed forces will also accompany the delegation.
Earlier in the day, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan was examining Saudi Arabia’s request to join the Gulf-led operation against Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam confirmed that Saudi Arabia has contacted Pakistan to provide assistance to overcome on-going crisis in Yemen.
The spokesperson said that the Pakistani community in Yemen has been alerted in view of the current situation there. However, she added, no decision has so far been taken to shut down the embassy.
Tasnim Aslam said that the mission has been asked to remain alert for evacuation of Pakistani community in case the situation further deteriorates.
