ISLAMABAD: A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan.

The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House to review the situation in Yemen was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, PM’s Adviser on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, the foreign secretary and other senior officials.

A statement issued by the PM’s media cell said the meeting reaffirmed that Pakistan held Saudi Arabia in high esteem and considered the security of the holy land a matter of utmost importance.

“Any violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia would evoke a strong reaction from Pakistan, according to the aspirations of the people of Pakistan,” it said.

PM updated on status of Pakistanis stranded in war-torn Yemen

The prime minister was updated on the status of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen. Mr Sharif expressed satisfaction over the completion of the first phase of evacuation of Pakistanis from the war-torn country and directed that the remaining people be brought back safely at the earliest.

The prime minister was informed that a Chinese ship would be reaching the Yemeni port city of Aden on Wednesday to pick up 200 Pakistanis. Depending upon on-ground conditions and the route of the Chinese ship, these people would be dropped either at Djibouti or Moqalla which are peaceful at the moment and where around 100 Pakistanis are already living. A Pakistan Navy ship will reach Yemen on Thursday to bring those people back home.

The prime minister was informed that about 75 Pakistanis stranded in Sanaa would soon be airlifted or taken to Moqalla.

Mr Sharif reiterated that all possible steps would be taken for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has rejected international media reports that Pakistan Air Force jets and Navy ships are taking part in the military action in Yemen.

In a statement, FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam dismissed the reports as speculative, misleading and incorrect.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2015

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