Pakistan has expressed its committment to supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia while stressing the need for an urgent end through diplomacy and dialogue to the Yemen crisis.
A high-level meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif concluded at the PM House on Thursday, in which the civil and military leadership discussed the Yemen crisis and Pakistan’s possible role in the conflict.
During the meeting, the participants acknowledged that Pakistan fully supports the security of Saudi Arabia. However, the crisis in Yemen should be resolved peacefully.
Khawaja Asif, who also led the delegation to Riyadh, briefed the participants today about his talks with Saudi Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.
PM Nawaz said the crisis in Yemen must be brought to an urgent end through diplomacy and dialogue.
He also said that he is in contact with leaders of the Muslim world to find a solution for this crisis, and that political party leaders would also be consulted in order to come to a final decision.
According to sources, Chief of General Staff Let General Ashfaq Nadeem has briefed the premier about meeting with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia.
Nadeem reportedly received details of how the armed forces of both countries should cooperate and at what time Pakistan will dispatch its troops to the Kingdom.
Sources added that chief of general staff was instructed to find out more about Saudi Arabias requirements how far Pakistan can meet them.
Nadeem previously served as DG Military Operations in Pakistan and has acquired relevant experience to assess the requirements, should the country need to deploy troops in the Kingdom.
During his interaction with the Kingdoms authorities they revealed their military requirements, the strength required, time frame and equipment needed, the mode of training that will be used and how the forces will coordinate.
Sources from the PM House confirmed that civil military leadership was interested to see their JF17 Thunders used in KSA.
Although Saudi Arabia does not require air force equipment, they expressed interest in well trained personnel from the Pakistan Air Force who could offer their services to Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhary, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Amaan, acting Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique and other senior officials.
