ISLAMABAD (MNN); Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, during which they exchanged views on the prevailing regional situation and recent developments, the Foreign Office said.
According to the FO, Ishaq Dar expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, noting the continued strengthening of cooperation between the two countries. In response, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to further deepen and enhance ties with Islamabad.
During the call, Ishaq Dar also conveyed seasonal greetings and best wishes for the New Year, which were warmly reciprocated by the Saudi foreign minister.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a wide-ranging and longstanding relationship based on strategic military cooperation, strong economic ties and a shared Islamic heritage. Over the years, the partnership has included economic assistance, energy cooperation and oil supplies, with Saudi Arabia remaining a key source of financial support for Pakistan.
In September this year, the two countries signed a landmark mutual defence agreement, under which an attack on one country would be treated as an attack on the other, further underscoring the depth of their strategic partnership.
The telephonic contact took place against the backdrop of recent regional developments, including airstrikes carried out earlier in the day by the Saudi-led coalition at Yemen’s Mukalla port, targeting what the coalition described as foreign military support to southern separatists.
Last Saturday, Pakistan publicly expressed full support for Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in Yemen. The Foreign Office said Pakistan also appreciated the role of the United Arab Emirates in supporting these efforts.
In November, the military leaderships of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had also pledged to enhance bilateral defence cooperation and reiterated their resolve to further strengthen brotherly relations between the two nations.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, discussions at that time focused on the evolving global and regional security environment, as well as avenues for expanding defence collaboration. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the enduring defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
