Pakistan PM: ‘We will stand by Saudi Arabia’

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured Saudi Arabia that his country will always stand with the Kingdom through difficult times and will ensure its protection against attacks.

In an interview with the Saudi Gazette yesterday during his visit to Saudi, Khan said that it “is a stated position of all our governments that we will not allow anyone to attack Saudi Arabia”.

Khan expressed his distress at seeing conflict between Muslim nations and insisted that Pakistan is willing to play a reconciliatory role, adding that he believes political and diplomatic solutions should take priority over military solutions.

He also commended the anti-corruption measures that the Saudi government has undertaken, led by the controversial Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Though the measures have been harsh – including the arrests of high profile members of the royal family, businessmen, and clerics, Imran Khan revealed that Pakistan is also starting its own anti-corruption drive, saying that corruption is the main reason countries remain poor.

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“Saudi Arabia always has been of great help for us. There is a special bond with Saudi Arabia. All Pakistanis want Saudi Arabia to be secure and prosperous,” Khan said.

Pakistan has previously offered its military expertise to train the Saudi army while Saudi Arabia has invested heavily into Pakistan’s economy and infrastructure.