Thaindian News

Islamabad, Mar 27(ANI): Pakistan understands and supports the Saudi stance on the Gulf and the Middle East, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

Talking to Prince Bander Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Secretary General of the National Security Council of Saudi Arabia, who called on him at the PM House, Gilani said the people of Pakistan have great regards for the Saudi leadership, being the custodians of the two holy mosques.

Pakistan had stood and would stand with Saudi Arabia on all regional and international fora in the interest of peace, the premier said.

The country believes in strengthening its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, and desires to further expand the scope of their bilateral relations, he added.

Underlining the importance of relations with Saudi Arabia, Gilani said it was the first country he visited after taking over as Pakistan’s prime minister, The Nation reports.

He thanked Saudi Arabia for the help and assistance given to Pakistan during difficult times, particularly during last year’s devastating floods and after the 2005 earthquake.

While deliberating upon the menace of terrorism, Gilani emphasised on the adoption of a common strategy by all the concerned countries in order to affectively check and eliminate this common enemy.

On Kabul, the prime minister said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the larger economic interest of the region.

Pakistan supports the Afghan-led reconciliation process to ensure peace and security, which would lead to socio-economic progress of the people of the entire region, he added. (ANI)