ISLAMABAD — Any threat to the safety and security of Saudi Arabia will trigger a strong response from Pakistan, according to an official statement issued by the office of the prime minister. It said this decision was taken at a high-level meeting held by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East region. The meeting was attended by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif, and Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force Air Marshal Sohail Aman.
During the meeting Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan enjoys strong ties with the Kingdom and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and gives utmost concern to the security of these countries.
The Pakistani defense minister emphasized his country's standing with the Kingdom against any aggression threatening its territorial integrity.
He was addressing a joint session of the Pakistani National Assembly on Monday discussing a Pakistan military participation in the coalition led by the Kingdom against the Houthi militias in Yemen.
“There should be no ambiguity that if the security of Saudi territory is at stake Pakistan will stand by for support. Pakistan cannot afford to give up the Kingdom,” he said, adding that he visited Riyadh last week to discuss the situation with Saudi officials.
The Saudi-led campaign in Yemen entered its 12th day Monday, targeting the rebels who took over the capital, Sanaa, in September.
The Saudi-led coalition forces are providing weapons through airdrops in Aden to fighters belonging to popular committees.
Evacuations of foreign nationals also continued. India said nearly all of its citizens in Yemen would be evacuated by Monday night. As of Sunday, India had evacuated nearly 2,300 citizens, most by sea from Aden.
A Chinese warship evacuated the last batch of Chinese citizens, about 38 nationals, as well as 45 citizens of Sri Lanka, from Yemen on Monday, its official Xinhua News Agency reported. — Agencies
