Dubai, Mar 13: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday left for a brief official visit to Saudi Arabia with Pakistan’s role coming under scanner due to its defence agreement with the kingdom.
The two countries signed a mutual defence pact in September last year with the commitment to come to the defence of each other in case of attack by a third country. The agreement was signed when Israel had attacked Hamas leaders in Qatar.
However, the situation changed after US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran and it hit back but pounding targets in the Gulf. There is a growing unease if Pakistan would fulfill its obligation towards Saudi Arabia given its good ties and geographical proximity with Iran.
Just a day ago, PM’s Spokesperson for Foreign Media Mosharraf Zaidi said that Pakistan would be there for Saudi Arabia “before it is needed”.
The prime minister is undertaking the visit at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
It added that the prime minister will hold a meeting with the Saudi crown prince, during which they will “exchange views on the ongoing tensions in the region, the regional security situation and bilateral relations between the two countries.”
“This visit is highlighting Pakistan’s positive role in the diplomatic arena, and Pakistan will continue to play this role,” the PMO said.
Separately, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed the visit during the weekly briefing, saying the prime minister had left for a one-day trip to Saudi Arabia.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is accompanying the prime minister on the visit.
The spokesperson added that the trip forms part of ongoing coordination between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on matters related to regional peace and security.
He said the visit should also be seen as part of broader diplomatic efforts aimed at paving the way for dialogue and diplomacy in the region. It was the second high-level visit to Saudi Arabia after the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia on March 7 and met Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud.
The two “discussed the gravity of the security situation resulting from Iranian drone and missile attacks on the Kingdom,” the military’s media affairs wing said.
They also discussed joint measures needed to halt such attacks within the framework of the “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year.
Apart from the visit, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar talked to Saudi counterpart on more than one occasion.