Saudi Arabia gave no wish-list on Yemen: Nawaz

Premier will participate in the National Commemoration of the Centenary of Gallipoli Campaign and ANZAC Day

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday denied that Pakistan had been given a wish-list by Saudi Arabia over its aggression into Yemen, but reiterated that any threat to the sovereignty of the kingdom will be responded to.

The premier arrived in London on Friday afternoon on a three-day visit following the invitation of his British counterpart, Express News reported.

Commenting on his visit to Saudi Arabia, Nawaz said that despite the appearance of friction with Gulf countries over Pakistan’s stance on the Yemen conflict, talks were held in cordial environment and that no pressure was exerted by the kingdom for Pakistan to send its troops to Yemen.

“It was agreed that Pakistan will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the brotherly Muslim country if its territorial integrity was threatened,” he said.

Regarding the deteriorating situation in Yemen and the resumption of airstrikes in the country, the premier said the issue should be resolved in pursuance with the UN Security Council resolution.

The premier further said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are tied in strong bond of friendship and that these relations should be strengthened further.

On Chinese investment in Pakistan, Nawaz claimed it was unprecedented and that such investment had not happened in decades, adding that even developed countries do not witness such progress.

Nawaz is scheduled to meet with David Cameron Saturday and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues, while he is also expected to exchange views with business executives and other political figures on the occasion.

Further, PM Nawaz is expected to meet British leaders and business executives during this visit.

The visit comes a day after the premier returned from Saudi Arabia.

The premier had led a powerful delegation comprising army chief General Raheel Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and other senior officials – held a series of meetings in Riyadh with the Saudi leadership, particularly King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Arabia’s ministers of defence and interior.

Read: Middle East crisis: Pakistan rallies firmly behind Saudi Arabia, says PM

The Pakistani delegation also met Yemen’s President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to assure him that Islamabad considered him the country’s legitimate head of state.

Upon arrival, the premier was received by Ambassador Nicholas Jarrold and Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas.