ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday denied any tension in Pakistan-Saudi relations and insisted that the two countries have strong economic, political, security, and military cooperation at all levels. Responding to media queries during his weekly media briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, said that "there is no rift in the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia".
He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had always enjoyed unique relations, deep rooted in religion, culture, and social ties. He also referred to the remarks of Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a recent interview on the subject, and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa's just concluded visit to Saudi Arabia, saying "these testify to the unchanged fraternal relations and close contact between the two brotherly countries".
He said the two countries had strong economic, political, security and military cooperation at all levels, adding that relations between the two brotherly countries had continued to grow over time. "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have not only closely cooperated with each other at international fora but have always stood by each other at times of need. Pakistan values Saudi Arabia's important role in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir," he added.
He asserted that Pakistan had an abiding commitment to defending the sanctity of Harmain Sharifain. "Pakistan remains firmly committed to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia," he said, adding that the people of Pakistan had special reverence and affection for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
He said the visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the landmark visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last year had further cemented our relations and provided new avenues of cooperation in trade, investment and other fields.
"The long-term strategic relationship between the two brotherly countries is time tested and will continue to grow to our mutual benefit," he further stated. Responding to a question about any expected change in the position of General Raheel Sharif (retd) as the commander in chief of the Saudi-led Islamic military alliance, he said: "there is no change in that and there is no rift in Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations that could lead to any such situation".
Responding to a question about the UAE-Israel peace deal, the spokesperson made it clear that Pakistan's position on Israel had not changed and its recognition was not on the table. "On Pakistan's recognition of Israel, let me reiterate that the recognition of Israel by Pakistan is not under consideration," he asserted.
He said that peace and stability in the Middle East region remains Pakistan's key priority without changing its principled position on the issue of Palestine. "There is no change in Pakistan's principled position on Palestine. We have an abiding commitment to the full realization of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination," he said.
For a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, he added that Pakistan has consistently supported a two-State solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions as well as international law, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of Palestine.
As for the recent developments, he stated that Pakistan's approach will be guided by our evaluation of how Palestinians' rights and aspirations are upheld and how regional peace, security and stability are preserved. To another question about the alleged divisions within the OIC, he stated that Pakistan remains committed to the unity of Muslim Ummah and has always worked toward that end.
Pakistan will continue its efforts to keep the Muslim Ummah united, he added. About the OIC's role on Kashmir issue, he said that "it has indeed played an important role in the context of Jammu and Kashmir dispute". He said that the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has held three meetings at the level of Foreign Ministers since August 5, 2019.
He said that the OIC has also passed a number of resolutions, condemning Indian actions and continuing human rights violations in IIOJK. To another query about the criticism by Minister of Human Rights Shireen Mazari over the Foreign Office for failing to carry forward Prime Minister Imran Khan's narrative on Kashmir, he said "as a policy we do not comment on the comments made by a Federal Minister".
However, he insisted that it has been successful in effectively raising and further internationalising the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Responding a question about the joining of forces by three terror outfits including the TTP in Afghanistan allegedly backed by the Afghan NDS and Indian RAW to de-stabilise Pakistan, he stated that Pakistan believes that Afghan soil should not be used for anti-Pakistan activities.
"We have repeatedly conveyed this to our Afghan friends, we believe that every effort would be made to not let the Afghan soil be used by RAW or any other anti-Pakistan agency or group," he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020