Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Sunday. (SPA)

Riyadh highlights Islamabad role in war on terror

The Kingdom attaches great importance to Pakistan and its armed forces and appreciates their success in the fight against terrorism, as well as supports Pakistan’s position on all matters, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said here on Sunday.

His comments came during wide-ranging talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif.

Earlier, the deputy crown prince was received by Khwaja Muhammad Asif, defense minister, and Sartaj Aziz, premier’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs, besides military and civil officers at the Nur Khan Airbase, a Pakistani diplomat said.

Islamabad reiterated its commitment to defend the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, the deputy crown prince and Gen. Raheel Sharif met at the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army. “Any threat posed to the Kingdom’s territorial integrity would evoke a very strong response from Pakistan, as we hold our defense ties with Saudi Arabia in the highest esteem,” the chief of army staff was quoted as saying by the ISPR.

The deputy crown prince’s visit to Islamabad was in response to an invitation from the Pakistan government and according to the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

He was accompanied by an official delegation comprising Adel Al-Toraifi, culture and information minister, Musaed Al-Aiban, minister of state and a Cabinet member, and a number of officials.

Notably, this was the second high-profile visit from the Kingdom within a week as Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir visited Islamabad on Thursday to boost cooperation and discuss the counter-terrorism coalition.

The deputy crown prince conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif to the Pakistani president and premier. In turn, the Sharif sent his greetings to the king and the crown prince.

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