June 20, 2015
News
Pakistan ‘ready to defend holy land against Houthis’
King Salman accepts Mamnoon’s invitation to visit PakistanJEDDAH – President Mamnoon Hussain has promised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman that Pakistan would be ready to defend the Kingdom if the Houthis manage to enter Saudi territory, reported by Arab News.
The president made the comments during a meeting with King Salman here. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and the interior minister, was also present. Mamnoon was accompanied by Ambassador Manzoorul Haq and Consul General Aftab Khokher.
“There are two million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia and they will be the first to defend it,” he said, later in an interview with a local publication. He said that he had several meetings with Saudi leaders and leaders of other countries when Yemen’s crisis began.
The OIC recently had a meeting in Jeddah to affirm its support for the Kingdom. The Muslim world was hoping for a peaceful resolution to the situation, he said. The president also praised King Salman for his services to pilgrims visiting the country for Haj and Umrah.
In response, the monarch said the Kingdom was entrusted with a sacred responsibility to serve pilgrims and ensure peace and stability in the Kingdom. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations, developments in the region and matters of mutual interest.
He said that the people and the government of Pakistan hold the Kingdom and the monarch in high esteem. King Salman said that the Kingdom continues to have strong ties with Pakistan and that the country was benefiting from the contribution of Pakistani workers, who are known for their good behavior. The king accepted Mamnoon’s invitation to visit Pakistan.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk