ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani yesterday lauded the role of Saudi Arabia which it has played in defusing tension in South Asia.
He assured visiting Prince Muqrin, chief of Intelligence in Saudi Arabia, that Pakistan, being itself a victim of terrorism, was neither supportive of any terrorist organization nor it was allowing any such element to use its soil for terrorism.
He told Prince Muqrin that the people of Pakistan and the government value their friendship with the Kingdom in high spirits, Islamic brotherly ties and strong bond of traditional and historic relations with the Kingdom.
Gilani said both the government and people of Pakistan have accorded great respect and honor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who always stood by Pakistan and its people during hard times.
Prince Muqrin met the prime minister yesterday afternoon. According to official sources, Prince Muqrin is carrying special message from King Abdullah for Pakistan’s leadership.
Prince Muqrin arrived here yesterday for talks on the situation in the region in the wake of the Mumbai terror carnage and on Pakistan’ political situation, a senior official said.
The official said that Prince Muqrin will be meeting President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the situation after the Mumbai attacks.
Later yesterday, Gilani told the National Assembly that Pakistan will share information with India after the necessary investigation. In a policy statement, he said India shared information with Pakistan on Jan. 5, which cannot be termed as evidence.
The information provided by India regarding Mumbai attacks is being examined by the Interior Ministry, he said, adding that the results will be shared with New Delhi after the necessary inquiry.
He further said Pakistan was the first country to condemn the Mumbai terror attacks. Serious and realistic cooperation would help us move forward in the investigation, he said. Gilani said Pakistan strongly condemns every form of terrorism.
Former Prime Minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif said “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is playing very important and positive role for South Asian peace and security.”
He was addressing a press conference at the Punjab House after meeting Prince Muqrin. He said “Prince Muqrin has brought a message of good will from King Abdullah”. He said Saudi Arabia, too, is concerned about the prevailing tension in the region as well as the situation in Pakistan’s tribal regions.
Sharif said that Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has also paid an important visit to India recently for discussing the South Asian peace and security.
In an unrelated development, Pakistan Army yesterday imposed curfew in the volatile Swat Valley. Fighting between militant Taleban and the troops have been going on for the last two to three months with military using heavy weaponry including main battle tanks and artillery.
Militants have moved in Swat’s surroundings from Bajaur Agency which is the hotbed of Al-Qaeda and Taleban. In the Swat region, Taleban and some other extremist groups are flagrantly using FM radios to communicate with other rebels.
