Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the “remarkable restraint” exercised by Saudi Arabia amid the Middle East crisis in a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Sunday.
The Saudi foreign minister called upon PM Shehbaz after the conclusion of quadrilateral ministerial meeting in Islamabad, attended by the FMs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye.
PM Shehbaz shared with FM Faisal Pakistan’s extensive diplomatic outreach during the current crisis, including mediation efforts for de-escalation and attempts to bring both the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, the PMO said.
The Saudi FM also shared the latest Saudi perspective on the regional situation with the prime minister, who assured the visiting dignitary of Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity and support.
The premier also emphasised Saudi Arabia’s leadership role within the Muslim Ummah and stressed the need to forge unity within Islamic countries at this critical time, the statement said.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz recalled his recent conversations with the Saudi crown prince, including their meeting in Jeddah on March 12. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to continue to coordinate their positions closely in order to secure peace and stability in the region,” the PMO said.
Upon his arrival at PMO, the Saudi foreign minister was received by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.
It added that the prime minister “warmly welcomed the Saudi foreign minister and conveyed his respectful regards for The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and warm greetings for His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince & Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.
Later, Shehbaz Sharif Sunday during a meeting with Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan and Foreign Minister of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty, reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment and resolve to play a positive role in bringing both Iran and the U.S to the negotiating table to end hostilities in the region.
The Prime Minister was assisted by Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asim Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.
During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his greetings and best wishes for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye and Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt and recalled his recent conversations with both leaders.
The Prime Minister shared Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts with the two visiting dignitaries and stressed on the need for collective efforts to urgently bring an end to hostilities that were causing heavy loss of life, economy and property not only in Iran, but across several brotherly Muslim countries.
The Foreign Ministers briefed the Prime Minister on their respective national perspectives on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.
While appreciating Pakistan’s constructive role in peace efforts, they lauded the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership at this challenging time.