ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan committed to further strengthen his bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia in several areas.
During a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, FM Qureshi said the ideal relations between the two countries were a source of pride for 220 million Pakistanis.
He said, “Sanctity of the Holy Mosques in the kingdom is dear to every Muslim and part of their religious beliefs.”
The foreign minister vowed that Pakistan would stand alongside Saudi Arabia for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. FM Qureshi also condemned the attacks of Houthi rebels in the kingdom.
Qureshi said a large number of Pakistanis have been living in Saudi Arabia and playing their due role in the progress and development of the country.
Pakistan expected the Saudi government to provide jobs to the laid-off Pakistani workers following improvement in the COVID-19 situation, he added.
Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki said that the kingdom had always stood by the South Asian nation and would never abandon it during its time of need.
The Saudi envoy further said that Umrah pilgrims would soon be permitted to visit Saudi Arabia with all the required protective steps to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and issues of mutual interest came under discussion during the meeting.
اسلام آباد میں تعینات سعودی سفیر نواف بن سعید المالکی کی وزارت خارجہ میں وزیر خارجہ مخدوم شاہ محمود قریشی سے ملاقات
ملاقات میں دو طرفہ تعلقات، مختلف شعبہ جات میں دو طرفہ تعاون کے فروغ اور باہمی دلچسپی کے مختلف امور پر تبادلہ ء خیال . pic.twitter.com/CBQtPYgh1x
— Team SMQ (@TeamSMQ) August 31, 2020
Earlier, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki had met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Jawed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on August 11.
According to the military’s media wing, matters of mutual interest, regional security, defense cooperation and other issues came under discussion in the meeting.
The Saudi ambassador also held separate meetings with the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Speaker Punjab Assembly Pervaiz Elahi.
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