ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi clarified on Wednesday that Pakistan had given no assurance to join the Saudi Arabia-led Yemen war.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Adviser to PM on Trade and Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, the minister expressed that no efforts were being made to push Pakistan into Yemen conflict.
Qureshi admitted that when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf assumed charge, Pak-Saudi relations were strained and a vacuum was created in the relations owing to certain reasons.
He, however, asserted that the harmony in ties between the two countries would be witnessed during the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to Pakistan.
The foreign minister said such a huge Saudi delegation would never have visited Pakistan before adding that Saudi ministers, heads of Saudi companies and high-ranking officials would be touring the country.
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‘Even if something good happens, efforts are made to unearth conspiracies here,’ Qureshi lamented.
The minister said Saudi Arabia is interested in establishing an oil refinery in Pakistan, whereas it would also invest in minerals resources here.
Qureshi highlighted that the investment was bilateral and had nothing to with multi-billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
‘Pakistan would take up the matter of Pakistani nationals imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, however, this would not include expats involved in heinous crimes,’ he added.
The Saudi Crown Prince will arrive in Pakistan on February 16 for a two-day visit for which preparations have been finalized.
During the first-ever tour of the Saudi official, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be signing a number of agreements and MoUs related to sectors, including investment, finance, power, renewable energy, internal security, media, culture and sports.
Adviser to PM on Trade and Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood has said that $7 billion investment would be made in Pakistan over the next two years.
“Saudi investors are more interested in food and agriculture sectors,” he shared.
