The Saudi Tent at the embassy here was on Tuesday night the venue for a rare show of reconciliation and unity by Pakistan's leaders from across the political spectrum at a time of serious challenges facing the country. More than 100 Pakistani guests turned up to bid farewell to Saudi Ambassador Ali Awad Assiri, who will take up his new assignment on Saturday in Beirut as ambassador to Lebanon Assiri in his welcome speech said that King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is committed to the unity of Pakistan and will continue his full support to the Pakistani leadership and people in their endeavors to reach a new horizon of stability and prosperity. King Abdullah is keen on ensuring the safety, security and sovereignty of Pakistan, Assiri said. Among the Pakistani guests were Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif, PML-Q President Chaudhury Shujaat Hussain, former Jammaat Islami chief Qazi Hussein Ahmed, Deputy Chairman of the PPP Makdoum Amin Faheem, PPP Parliamentarian President Aftab Sherpao, PML-Q parliamentarian Tahmina Daultana, Minister of Religious Affairs Shagufta Jummani, and PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain. Assiri said the Saudi Tent will always serve to ensure that the Pakistani leaders remain united. “From tonight, this tent will be the umbrella for Pakistani unity,” he said. Gilani, in his speech, welcomed the King's call for unity and announced that his federal government will continue with the PML-N provincial government in Punjab. He said he will coordinate and consult with PML-N on political issues facing Pakistan at this critical stage with violent Taleban insurgency posing a threat. Gilani admitted that Pakistan is facing a difficult time which needs unity. Nawaz Sharif, leader of the PML-N, also welcomed King Abdullah's call for unity and told reporters he will support the prime minister “from outside the government or within.” The main discussion of the evening was the Swat Taleban snd how to find a solution to eliminate the threat. N-arsenal safe, says army Earlier Tuesday, Pakistani Army spokesman General Athar Abbas told Saudi Gazette that “tight control” over nuclear arsenal rules out the possibility of their falling into the hands of the (Taleban) militants. “There is no risk,” he said. Gen. Abbas said that “a supreme leadership committee” headed by the President – Zardari – has joint control of the nuclear weapons and that several tight security systems are in place to tackle any emergency or threat to the nuclear arsenal.
