ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Saudi Arabia on Thursday assured that it had and would stand with Pakistan whenever the national interests of either country were challenged.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told newsmen after meeting with President Pervez Musharraf that he had brought a message of friendship and solidarity for the people of Pakistan from the King and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
About Pakistan’s economic difficulties, the special envoy of King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia said the kingdom would not leave Pakistan in lurch. “We stand together and whatever Saudi Arab can do it will do.”
Pakistan, Prince Saud said, is a country that had been “bastion” for Muslims and “solidarity with Pakistan is the duty of every Muslim, particularly at this difficult time.”
The special envoy said that Pakistan was following the policies that had been decided in the last OIC conference.
MUSHARRAF: President Musharraf said that Saudi Arab and Pakistan had total unanimity of views on how to approach the problems in Afghanistan and its consequences.
Talking to newsmen at the CE office, the president said: “We did discuss the situation in Afghanistan in its totality.”
Gen Musharraf said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed such close brotherly relations that he did not think an example of this could be found any where.
“We do maintain very close contacts on all important issues around the world.”
Pakistan, the president said, was grateful for the support Saudi Arabia had provided in the past. “We look forward in all areas whether political or economic, a total collaboration between the two countries as has existed in the past.”
MEETING: Prince Saud conveyed the full support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan’s bold and courageous decision of joining the international coalition against terrorism.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud called on President Musharraf and conveyed the warm greetings of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. “We extend full support. Saudi Arabia would not found, wanting in support, to Pakistan,” the King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia said in their messages.
Prince Saud extended full support of Saudi Arabia to the formation of a broad-based and multi-ethnic government in Afghanistan which would serve as a stabilizing factor for peace and stability in the region.
Prince Saud reiterated his government’s full support for Pakistan’s security, stability and well-being.
The foreign minister said the Saudi government would extend financial assistance to mitigate the unprecedented strains on Pakistan’s economy, resulting from the current crisis and the large influx of Afghan refugees.
The Saudi government has recently sent relief goods for Afghan refugees worth $10 million.—APP/PPI
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