PM assures MBS: Pakistan stands firm with KSA; CDF Munir and Dar help the prime minister in the discussion; Talks focus on attacks on Iran
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with 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 the deteriorating regional situation, held a restricted 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 External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also present during the talks.
An official press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office provided limited information on the nature and scope of the discussions. However, sources said there were in-depth discussions on the current situation, with special reference to the Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia.
On the day the prime minister traveled to Jeddah, Saudi defense authorities said they intercepted more missiles and drones fired by Iran.
“At the beginning of the meeting, Shehbaz conveyed his respects and best wishes to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and expressed gratitude for the kingdom’s long-standing support for Pakistan,” according to a readout from the prime minister’s office.
The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” for Saudi Arabia during what the statement described as difficult 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 firmly support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and fight for their mutual desire for peace in the region,” the statement said.
The meeting took place during a previously unplanned one-day visit by the prime minister to Saudi Arabia that officials said was part of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach to help calm tensions between Iran and the Gulf states.
The hasty trip came a day after the prime minister held 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 tightrope 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.
Diplomatic sources said Islamabad had stepped up contacts with key regional capitals amid fears that continued Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states could trigger a wider regional conflict.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Pakistan has been urging Tehran to avoid attacking Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, warning that such actions could significantly increase tensions.
Iran’s president had earlier expressed regret to the Gulf countries and indicated 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 spokesperson 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 should 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 offered his condolences on the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and congratulated the Iranian leadership following the assumption of responsibility by Ayatollah Mokhtaba Khamenei.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated that Pakistan had condemned the attacks on Iran but had also strongly denounced Iranian attacks on the Gulf States, underlining Islamabad’s attempt to maintain a balanced stance amid the escalating crisis.
“As you know, Pakistan 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 Iran’s attacks on the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, 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 multiple talks with his Iranian counterpart while also maintaining frequent contacts with leaders and officials of the Gulf countries, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Pakistan was trying to play the role of a “bridge builder” by encouraging moderation and maintaining open channels of communication between regional capitals.
“Our primary position on issues relating to sovereignty, international law and the UN Charter, as well as on dialogue and diplomacy, is respected in regional capitals,” Andrabi said.
“This allows us to maintain communication channels between the relevant capitals,” he added.
