PM Nawaz, COAS Gen Raheel reach Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Thursday reached Riyadh on a day-long visit to discuss Yemen crisis, local media reported.

Top Saudi officials welcomed them of the airport.

During the visit, the prime minister will hold talks with top Saudi leadership on the Yemeni situation. He will express solidarity and support to the kingdom on behalf of the Pakistani nation.

The prime minister is accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry as well.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a high level meeting to discuss the crisis in Yemen ahead of his visit to Saudi Arabia in federal capital.

The meeting has reportedly finalised the Pakistani version to be presented to the Saudis during the premier's tour to the kingdom.

Previously, Pakistan had resorted to say 'no' to a Saudi request to join fight against Houthi rebels in Yemen to restore the ousted government of President Hadi.

Two high-level Pakistani delegations also visited Saudi Arabia to brief the royal officials about Pakistan's stance over joining hands in Yemen.

United States based think tank claimed that Pakistan has decided to deploy their Navy ships near to the coastal line of Yemen in order to halt the arms supply to Houthi fighters.

The report suggested that Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was reluctant to send the ground troops to fight in Yemen, additionally, Pakistani forces are busy in operation against terrorists in tribal areas of the country.