Devil Soul
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Pak delegation takes to Kingdom a pledge and a proposal
| PM chairs meeting ahead of Asif, Sartaj, senior military officers’ departure to Saudi Arabia | Vows KSA’s defence | FO says even prisoners to be evacuated
April 01, 2015
ISLAMABAD - A high-level Pakistani defence delegation landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss the situation arising out of the Houthi rebels’ advances in Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes against them.
The delegation appeared to be carrying a strong pledge that Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia if its sovereignty was violated, while also taking with it a desire, or a proposal, for the negotiated settlement of the issue.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is leading the delegation that comprises PM’s National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz and senior military officials.
“We will provide all resources if there is any threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” the defence minister said before departure to Riyadh.
Senior military officials include Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Rear Admiral Kalim Shaukat and Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar.
“Pakistan wants an end to conflicts in the Muslim world,” Asif said, adding that his country desires solution to disputes through peaceful means.
The Pakistani delegation left for Saudi Arabia shortly after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting to review the situation in the Middle East and evacuation of stranded Pakistani nationals in Yemen.
The defence minister and top military officials embarked on visit to Saudi Arabia amid reports that Pakistan is likely to send troops to the kingdom. The government however denied any immediate decision in this context.
The high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday categorically stated that any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan.
The meeting held at the Prime Minister House was attended by Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, the Foreign Affairs secretary and other senior officers.
A statement issued by the media cell of the Prime Minister House said the meeting reiterated that Pakistan held Saudi Arabia in very high esteem and considered the security of the holy land of utmost importance.
“Any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan, according to the aspirations of the people of Pakistan,” the statement said.
The Prime Minister also noted the satisfactory completion of first phase of evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen and directed that the remaining be brought back home safely at the earliest.
He was also updated on the status of Pakistanis still stranded in Yemen.
The prime minister was informed that a Chinese ship would be reaching Aden tomorrow (Wednesday) and pick up around 200 Pakistanis stranded there. Depending upon on-ground conditions and route of the Chinese ship, these people would be dropped either at Djibouti or at Moqallah, which was peaceful yet and where around 100 Pakistanis were already there.
Pakistan’s own naval ship, which was dispatched on the directives of the prime minister, would reach Yemen on April 2 (tomorrow) and bring these people back to the country.
The prime minister was informed that still there were about 75 Pakistanis in Sanaa, who would soon be airlifted or taken to Moqallah.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was constantly keeping himself updated on the situation, said that the people still stuck in Yemen should rest assured that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring their safe exit from the country.
Separately, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said all possible steps were being taken for early repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
The spokesperson said it has also been decided to evacuate Pakistani citizens detained in Yemeni prisons. She said Yemeni authorities have been contacted for repatriation of Pakistani prisoners.
Tasnim Aslam said the prisoners will complete their imprisonment term in Pakistan.
A report Tuesday night said the Pakistani was received by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq at the Riyadh airport.
The delegation will meet Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Defence Minister in Riyadh besides meeting other high-ranking Saudi officials for discussion over the crisis in Yemen.
The delegation is also expected to meet the leadership of Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the possibility of enabling a truce in Yemen.
Pak delegation takes to Kingdom a pledge and a proposal
| PM chairs meeting ahead of Asif, Sartaj, senior military officers’ departure to Saudi Arabia | Vows KSA’s defence | FO says even prisoners to be evacuated
April 01, 2015
ISLAMABAD - A high-level Pakistani defence delegation landed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss the situation arising out of the Houthi rebels’ advances in Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes against them.
The delegation appeared to be carrying a strong pledge that Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia if its sovereignty was violated, while also taking with it a desire, or a proposal, for the negotiated settlement of the issue.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is leading the delegation that comprises PM’s National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz and senior military officials.
“We will provide all resources if there is any threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” the defence minister said before departure to Riyadh.
Senior military officials include Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Rear Admiral Kalim Shaukat and Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar.
“Pakistan wants an end to conflicts in the Muslim world,” Asif said, adding that his country desires solution to disputes through peaceful means.
The Pakistani delegation left for Saudi Arabia shortly after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting to review the situation in the Middle East and evacuation of stranded Pakistani nationals in Yemen.
The defence minister and top military officials embarked on visit to Saudi Arabia amid reports that Pakistan is likely to send troops to the kingdom. The government however denied any immediate decision in this context.
The high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday categorically stated that any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan.
The meeting held at the Prime Minister House was attended by Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, the Foreign Affairs secretary and other senior officers.
A statement issued by the media cell of the Prime Minister House said the meeting reiterated that Pakistan held Saudi Arabia in very high esteem and considered the security of the holy land of utmost importance.
“Any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan, according to the aspirations of the people of Pakistan,” the statement said.
The Prime Minister also noted the satisfactory completion of first phase of evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen and directed that the remaining be brought back home safely at the earliest.
He was also updated on the status of Pakistanis still stranded in Yemen.
The prime minister was informed that a Chinese ship would be reaching Aden tomorrow (Wednesday) and pick up around 200 Pakistanis stranded there. Depending upon on-ground conditions and route of the Chinese ship, these people would be dropped either at Djibouti or at Moqallah, which was peaceful yet and where around 100 Pakistanis were already there.
Pakistan’s own naval ship, which was dispatched on the directives of the prime minister, would reach Yemen on April 2 (tomorrow) and bring these people back to the country.
The prime minister was informed that still there were about 75 Pakistanis in Sanaa, who would soon be airlifted or taken to Moqallah.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was constantly keeping himself updated on the situation, said that the people still stuck in Yemen should rest assured that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring their safe exit from the country.
Separately, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said all possible steps were being taken for early repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
The spokesperson said it has also been decided to evacuate Pakistani citizens detained in Yemeni prisons. She said Yemeni authorities have been contacted for repatriation of Pakistani prisoners.
Tasnim Aslam said the prisoners will complete their imprisonment term in Pakistan.
A report Tuesday night said the Pakistani was received by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq at the Riyadh airport.
The delegation will meet Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Defence Minister in Riyadh besides meeting other high-ranking Saudi officials for discussion over the crisis in Yemen.
The delegation is also expected to meet the leadership of Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the possibility of enabling a truce in Yemen.
Pak delegation takes to Kingdom a pledge and a proposal
