Saudi FM left Pakistan for Jeddah without joint press conference
Islamabad, Pakistan: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir concluded his visit to Islamabad and left for Jeddah on Friday morning without having any joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart.
It may be mentioned that Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir came to Pakistan on his two-day visit and his press conference with Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was postponed on Thursday due to reasons best known to Foreign Office. It was expected that Saudi Foreign Minister would hold joint press conference on Friday before his departure to Jeddah.
He came to lure Pakistan to play proactive role in in 34-nation Saudi led military alliance but Pakistan kept standing with its stance that participation of Pakistan in alliance is of “voluntary nature”.
After his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj said:
“The role of every country in 34-nation alliance of the Muslim countries is voluntary and all the member states are free to define their role in the coalition like extending training in counter-insurgency. Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan has always supported all alliances meant for fighting terrorism”.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan issued a four liner declaration on Thursday evening after important meetings of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir with with Pakistani civilian and military leadership.
A joint statement was also released on Thursday evening that said:
“Pakistan expressed deep concern at the escalation of the situation and condemned the burning down of Saudi Embassy in Tehran.
Pakistan believes in respect for international norms and adherence to principle of non-interference. The Prime Minister called for resolution of differences through peaceful means in the larger interest of the Muslim unity in this challenging time.
The visiting Foreign Minister also held delegation level talks with Advisor to the Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz. During the talks, held under bilateral political consultation mechanism, the two sides discussed the ways and means to further expand areas of bilateral cooperation.
The two sides also discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields. Both sides agreed to hold political consultations twice a year alternatively in Islamabad and Riyadh.
Both the sides also exchanged views on fighting terrorism and extremism. The Advisor briefed Saudi Foreign Minister on the successful campaign that Pakistan has waged against the twin menace of terrorism and extremism.
The two sides underscored the need to develop jointly a counter narrative against extremism and terrorism with the help of Ulemas. The two delegations also discussed regional and global issues of common concern. It was agreed that both countries would make a concerted effort to promote multi-faceted cooperation and work together to defeat their common enemy – terrorism and extremism.
All the meetings were held in an atmosphere of warmth, friendship and cordiality that characterizes the historic and fraternal relations between the two countries.
