August 25, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-us-Sani 26

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JEDDAH, Aug 24: Pakistani and Saudi leaders have agreed to broaden their collaboration in the fight against terrorism, besides increasing bilateral coordination to strengthen the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

The unanimity of views emerged following a series of meetings between Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and key Saudi leaders, including King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz.

Both the countries also agreed to increase bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Earlier, the prime minister had also met the Deputy Crown Prince and deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Abdul Aziz and the Saudi Minister for Interior Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz. He earlier had meetings with the Imam of the Kaaba and the head of Iraqi Governing Council.

The prime minister called on the King Saturday evening at his palace at the Royal Court and conveyed best wishes and regards from President General Pervez Musharraf for his health and long life.

Meanwhile, commenting on the five-day tour of the kingdom Prime Minister Jamali, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed described it as being “successful” as it reflected commonality of views by both the countries on important international issues.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was speaking at a press briefing here organized by the Pakistan’s Journalist Forum to apprised the local and international press about the issues discussed during the meetings of Prime Minister Jamali with the Saudi leaders.

He said the two countries discussed in length the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and the South Asia, the political and economic relations besides holding deliberations on how to make the Organisation of Islamic Conference more effective.

He said the lingering issue of Kashmir between Pakistan and India was also discussed with the Saudi leadership.

“We always consult our Saudi friends on important national and international issues,” he added.

He said Pakistan cannot put aside the Kashmir issues as it was the cause of all the tension between the two countries.

Pakistan, he said, was desirous of peace with India, but on the condition of equality. Any talks between the two would have to include Kashmir, he added.

“There is no shift on Pakistan’s Kashmir policy, “ Sheikh Rashid said. “We have our principled stand and there is no change in it,” he told journalists.

Referring to news reports about the movement of Indian troops along the Dras and Kargil sectors in northern Pakistan, Sheikh Rashid said: “The armed forces of the country are fully capable of defending every inch of their country.”—APP