Shehbaz Sharif speaks to Saudi, UAE, Qatar leaders amid growing regional tension PM orders heightened security across country amid ME crisis Shehbaz Sharif directs evacuation of Pakistanis from Iran Says under leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir Armed Forces are performing their duties with national spirit.
Lahore – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saturday evening. He strongly condemned the serious regional escalation that had taken place as a result of the Israeli attack on Iran on Saturday, followed by the regrettable attacks on other Gulf countries. While assuring the Saudi leadership of Pakistan’s full solidarity and support in the current situation, the prime minister said that Pakistan would always stand with its Saudi brothers and sisters, at all times to come, and under all circumstances.
Shehbaz Sharif said, “Pakistan is ready to play a constructive role at this difficult time and prayed that may the blessings of the holy month of Ramazan bring peace to the region at the earliest.”
Also, PM Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, on Saturday evening.
The PM strongly condemned the serious regional escalation resulting from the Israeli attack on Iran earlier today, followed by the regrettable attacks against the UAE, in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as in other Gulf countries. Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his sadness at the tragic demise of a Pakistani national in the missile attack on Abu Dhabi. He assured the UAE leadership of Pakistan’s solidarity and support in the current crisis and said that Pakistan would always stand with its Emirati brothers and sisters, consistent with the close fraternal bonds between both countries that had withstood the test of times. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, this evening. During the telephone call, the Prime Minister strongly condemned the serious regional escalation from the Israeli attack on Iran earlier Saturday that was followed by the regrettable attacks against Qatar as well as in other Gulf countries.
While referring to their recent meeting in Doha, the PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s full solidarity and support with the brotherly State of Qatar amid the current crisis and assured the Amir that Pakistan would always stand shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people of Qatar and play a positive role for ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all relevant federal and provincial institutions to ensure prompt and comprehensive security measures in view of the current situation.
He was chairing a high level meeting on Saturday to review the overall security situation in the country. The prime minister directed the institutions to fulfill their responsibilities with mutual coordination and complete coherence.
In the wake of situation in Iran, the prime minister instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safely bring back the Pakistanis in that country via Azerbaijan and immediately contact the Azeri government in this regard.
The prime minister said the people and armed forces of Pakistan are always ready to protect the country’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Armed Forces are performing their duties to the best of their ability with national spirit.
He said the entire nation salutes the security forces for their sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed that all security institutions are on alert and all necessary measures are being taken for security of the country.
