JEDDAH — Pakistan has reiterated that its long-term commitment to Saudi sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability has been the main pillar of its foreign policy pursued by successive governments. In a statement sent to Okaz/Saudi Gazette on Monday, the office of the prime minister said that Saudi Arabia is Pakistan's one of the most important strategic allies that it is the country's firm assurance to Saudi brothers that it will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. “I have seen many media comments in Pakistan and abroad on the Yemen crisis, particularly after the resolution passed by parliament on April 10. I think it is necessary to clarify Pakistan's position on different dimensions of the crisis,” the statement quoted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as saying. Pakistan assures Gulf Cooperation Council countries that their disappointment was based on an apparent misinterpretation of parliament's resolution. “Pakistan does not abandon friends and strategic partners, especially at a time when their security is under threat,” the statement said. It said that Pakistan strongly condemns the actions by the Houthis and other non-state actors to overthrow the legitimate government of Yemen and expresses serious concern at the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation. It called for finding a peaceful solution to the crisis through dialogue. “The Resolution passed by parliament fully endorses these principles and strengthens the hands of the government for playing a positive and constructive role. “The resolution has affirmed, in clear and categorical terms that any violation of the Saudi territorial sovereignty or threat to the Two Holy Mosques will evoke a strong response from Pakistan.
“This assurance has been given despite the massive commitment of our armed forces in the on-going Operation Zarb-e-Azab, in which hundreds of our brave soldiers and security personnel have laid down their lives. “We have already intensified contacts with Saudi Arabia to monitor the ground situation and possible threats to the security and territorial integrity of the Kingdom. “We believe that the restoration of President Hadi's government will be an important step forward toward establishing peace in Yemen. “I also conveyed to the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during his visit to Pakistan on April 8-9 that the violent overthrow of the legitimate government in Yemen by the Houthis had set a dangerous precedent that was fraught with serious risks for the entire region. “I also urged him to use Iran's influence to bring the Houthis to the negotiating table,” the statement said.
