PM Imran apprises Saudis of dire situation in IOK

Imran Khan condemns attacks on Saudi oilfields

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called on Saudi Crown Prince and Defence Minister Muhammad Bin Salman in Jeddah and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest, including the latest situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday. He was received at King Abdulaziz International Airport by Foreign Minister Dr Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Adviser to King Salman Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the governor of Makkah region, and others, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister Media Wing in Islamabad, the prime minister also condemned the recent attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia, which cut the kingdom’s crude production and fanned fear of further instability in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Adviser on Finance Hafeez Sheikh, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and Pakistan's Ambassador In Saudi Arabia Raja Ali Ejaz was also present in the meeting.

Earlier, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said in a tweet on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Saudi Arabia visit would prove a milestone in further fostering bilateral relations.

She said it was important to take brotherly Islamic country Saudi Arabia which was an important member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in confidence before the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

“The visit of the prime minister is a manifestation of close ties between the two brotherly countries, which will prove a catalyst in further boosting these relations,” Firdous said. “During his visit, the prime minister will apprise the Saudi Crown Prince about the latest Kashmir situation,” she added.

She said that recent visit of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had strengthened the relations between Riyadh and Islamabad and because of the untiring efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Ummah has supported besieged Kashmiris in unequivocal terms.

Awan said that the OIC had announced its categorical support for the Kashmiris. The prime minister would forcefully present Kashmiris case at the UN General Assembly with the backing of the Muslim world.