ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia on Sunday for evacuating Pakistani nationals from Sudan amid heavy fighting between two rival military factions in the northeastern African state, while hoping for continued coordination with the kingdom over the issue in the coming days.
In a phone call with his counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Pakistani foreign minister also conveyed Eid greetings to the leaders and people of Saudi Arabia.
The two officials discussed regional and global issues, with the Pakistani minister expressing confidence that the resumption of the kingdom’s diplomatic relations with Iran would lead to greater peace and prosperity across the neighborhood.
“The Foreign Minister [Bhutto-Zardari] expressed profound gratitude for the Kingdom’s assistance in the evacuation of Pakistani nationals from Sudan,” the foreign office in Islamabad said in an official statement. “The Foreign Ministers agreed that the two countries will closely coordinate to further facilitate evacuations from Sudan.”
According to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry, the two officials “also discussed efforts to stop the military escalation between the conflicting parties [in Sudan], end the violence, and provide the necessary protection for Sudanese civilians and residents.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are bound by a fraternal relationship marked by mutual trust and understanding, close cooperation, and an abiding tradition of supporting each other.
The kingdom is also home to more than two million Pakistanis who have contributed to the progress, prosperity, and economic development of the two countries.
