Pakistan-Saudi defence cooperation continues, FO says

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to maintain bilateral defence cooperation, but implementing their recently signed defence agreement will take time, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Foreign Office spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan said during his weekly briefing that Pakistan condemned attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia and had expressed solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people.

“Pakistan will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Khan said Pakistani forces were already present in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes, adding that further aspects of defence cooperation would become clearer as the agreement is implemented.

He said the implementation process would require time and that the two countries remained engaged in bilateral defence cooperation.

On Kashmir, Khan said the disputed region remained on the agenda of the United Nations and that Indian claims and actions could not alter its disputed status.

He said the official U.N. map reflected the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and described Indian measures concerning the region as having no legal effect.

Khan also condemned the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur, India, saying the incident brought back memories of the demolition of the Babri Mosque.

Addressing reports about Afghan students, the spokesman rejected the impression that Pakistan had imposed a blanket ban on Afghan students.

“No decision has been taken to impose a complete ban on Afghan students,” he said, adding that Afghan students with valid visas and enrolment in recognised degree programmes could complete their education.