JEDDAH: President Asif Ali Zardari and the Saudi monarch, the
custodian of the two holy mosques Shah Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on
Wednesday discussed in detail a host of issues including bilateral
relations between the two countries, war on terror and Pakistan’s key
role in it, the country’s security and economic challenges and
situation in Afghanistan.
In the meeting that lasted for more
than one hour, the two leaders also discussed the US and ISAF forces’
role regarding restoration of peace in Afghanistan, dialogue with
Taliban, situation in Middle East particularly in Iraq, Palestine,
Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya and other countries.
Shah
Abdullah has always urged the need to resolve the political matters
through dialogue and opposed use of arms against the people in the ME.
Saudi Arabia has always given importance to the national and public
interests of Pakistan rather than supporting any particular person.
According to Saudi analysts, Zardari’s visit to Saudi Arabia is of far
reaching consequences as he is visiting Saudi Arabia after his December
2008 visit. Moreover, the visit is taking place immediately after the
president’s earlier visits to Afghanistan and Iran.
The
political pundits believe the high profile visit aims at briefing the
Saudi king of the recent political situation in the wake of the US
forces’ one-sided operation in Abbotabad in which Osama Bin Laden was
killed and the resultant tension between the US and Pakistan.
President
Zardari briefed the Saudi king of Pakistan’s stance on the issue in
clear and unequivocal words, said a member of the President’s entourage
while talking to the Online. President Zardari also attended a
reception hosted in his and the delegation’s honour by Prince Naif Bine
Abdul Aziz the Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia. President will leave
for Makkah Mukarma and after performing Umrah Thursday he will leave
for Madina Munawara and after offering prayers at the Masjid-e-Nabwi
(Mosque of Holy Prophet (SAW)) he will return home in the evening. Online
