PM Shehbaz Meets Saudi Crown Prince on Sidelines of Arab Islamic Summit

DOHA: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the sidelines of the Emergency Arab–Islamic Summit in Doha, convened after Israel’s September 9 attack on Qatar.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were also present.

During the “warm and cordial” exchange, the two leaders reviewed the regional situation following Israel’s aggression. The Prime Minister condemned the strike, calling it a “deliberate attempt to derail Middle East peace efforts.”

Mr Shehbaz praised the Crown Prince’s “bold and sagacious leadership” in unifying the Muslim world at a critical time, assuring Pakistan’s full diplomatic backing at the United Nations Security Council — where Islamabad currently serves as a non-permanent member — and at other multilateral fora, including the OIC.

“The convening of the Emergency Arab–Islamic Summit in Doha has sent a clear message that Muslims worldwide speak with one voice against Israel’s unlawful and reckless aggression, which threatens regional peace and security,” he added.

Reaffirming the historic fraternal ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister thanked Riyadh for its “steadfast support” to Pakistan through “thick and thin.”

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For his part, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he looked forward to the Prime Minister’s upcoming state visit to Riyadh later this week, which he said would provide an opportunity for a comprehensive exchange on bilateral, regional, and global issues.

The Prime Minister also conveyed his respects to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Crown Prince, in turn, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts at the UNSC and OIC, particularly its solidarity with Qatar during the crisis.