PM, field marshal to visit Saudi Arabia

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir would travel to Saudi Arabia for a day-long trip on Thursday, said the deputy prime minister on Wednesday, who added the visit is part of Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic outreach in the wake of brewing tensions with India.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the media that the prime minister accompanied by the army chief would thank the Saudi leadership for expressing solidarity with Pakistan in the recent military escalation with India.

Saudi Arabia was one of the main players that not only played a role in averting a crisis after the Pahalgam attack but was also instrumental in brokering the ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

The prime minister and the field marshal earlier travelled to Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan to thank them for their support to Pakistan in the face of Indian aggression.

Surprisingly, Pakistan not only had an upper hand in the battlefield but also outshined India on the diplomatic front. India despite having enormous economic clout could not win support of its even closest allies, including the United States.

Dar told reporters that India's attempt to set a 'new normal' had been buried and the world witnessed its claims of hegemony blown into the air during the recent conflict with Pakistan.

The foreign minister revised the number and said Pakistan shot down six Indian fighter jets including four French made Rafale. Earlier, Pakistan said three Rafale jets were among the six aircraft shot down by Pakistan on the night of May 7.

The Indian chief of defence last week admitted publicly for the first time that a number of Indian aircraft were downed by Pakistan on the night of 7th May. However, Anil Chuhuan insisted that numbers did not matter, something that drew a strong reaction from the Indian opposition and government critics.

Dar said Pakistan's kinetic action had been appreciated, its diplomatic efforts also earned international recognition. He noted that there was even an outcry within India over Pakistan's successful diplomatic outreach.

He said ceasefire was holding but regretted the political rhetoric on the part of India, saying the Indian leaders were doing so in view of the upcoming elections.

The foreign minister said Pakistan was ready for a dialogue with India, but not desperate for it. "Pakistan seeks a composite dialogue that includes terrorism as well as other issues, including the Indus Waters Treaty."

He said if India tried to divert or stop water, it would amount to an act of war. He said the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be suspended or amended as per the international law.

Turning to the recent four-nation tour, Dar said the prime minister undertook a visit to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan to express Pakistan's gratitude for the solidarity expressed by these countries during the conflict with India.