Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Thursday evening, conveying Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” to Saudi Arabia as tensions in the Middle East continue amid Iranian missile and drone strikes in the Gulf region. 

 

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the two leaders held a restricted meeting during the prime minister’s one-day visit to the kingdom. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir were also present.

 

The statement said that Shehbaz conveyed his regards and best wishes to Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and acknowledged the Kingdom’s support for Pakistan.

 

“At the outset of the meeting, Shehbaz conveyed his respectful regards and best wishes to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and expressed appreciation for the kingdom's longstanding support to Pakistan,” the PM Office said.

 

The prime minister also expressed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” for Saudi Arabia during what the statement described as challenging times.

 

Both leaders exchanged views on developments in the region and agreed to work together for regional peace and stability.

 

“The prime minister assured His Royal Highness that Pakistan would always stand firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and strive for their mutual desire for peace in the region,” the statement added.

 

Officials said the visit was part of Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement as tensions between Iran and Gulf states continued to rise.
The trip took place on the same day Saudi authorities reported intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran.

 

The visit followed a phone call a day earlier between Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during which the two leaders discussed the regional situation.

 

Reports quoted diplomatic sources as stating that Pakistan had increased contacts with regional capitals amid concerns that continued strikes on Gulf states could lead to a wider conflict.

 

According to officials familiar with the discussions, Islamabad has urged Tehran to avoid targeting Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, warning that such actions could escalate tensions.

 

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the prime minister’s visit was part of coordination between the two countries on issues related to regional peace and security.

 

“The Prime Minister's visit should be seen in the broader context of Pakistan's efforts to advocate and facilitate an early cessation of hostilities and violence in the region, with the aim of paving the way for dialogue and diplomacy,” Andrabi said.

 

He added that Pakistan had condemned attacks against Iran but also denounced Iranian strikes on Gulf countries.

 

“As you know, Pakistan had condemned the unwarranted attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Andrabi said.

 

“At the same time, Pakistan also strongly condemned the attacks by Iran against the brotherly countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, and stands in solidarity with all these countries,” he added.

The spokesperson also expressed concern over attacks targeting other regional states including Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

 

Officials said Pakistan had maintained communication with several regional capitals while Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held discussions with his Iranian counterpart and remained in contact with officials in Gulf states, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

Andrabi said Pakistan was encouraging restraint and maintaining communication between regional capitals.

 

“Our principal position on issues regarding sovereignty, international law and the UN Charter, and on dialogue and diplomacy, is respected in regional capitals,” he said.

“This allows us to maintain channels of communication between the relevant capitals.”