ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Faisal said on Saturday.
The spokesman said in a tweet that the ministers’ meeting was constructive and “the two FMs discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest.”
Qureshi had arrived in the UAE on Friday to attend the 9th Sir Bani Yas Forum.
Sir Bani Yas Forum is an annual moot on peace and security in the Middle East and the Gulf organized by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, foreign ministers of various countries are participating in the forum to discuss the “issues related to Middle East.”
Qureshi is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the foreign ministers and representatives of the other countries on the sidelines of the forum.
The forum aims to create a space for a frank and constructive conversation among leading policy and opinion makers on critical peace and security issues in the Middle East.
The Middle East is an area of immense importance to Pakistan; Islamabad had traditionally close relations with it for a long time.
Pakistan and UAE foreign ministers discuss regional issues, bilateral ties
Pakistan and UAE foreign ministers discuss regional issues, bilateral ties
- The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest
- Pakistan’s foreign minister is in UAE to attend the annual meeting of Sir Bani Yas Forum
Saudi Arabia condemns deadly mosque bombing in Pakistan’s capital
- The Kingdom rejects targeting of places of worship, expresses solidarity with Pakistan
- Saudi foreign ministry offers condolences to victims’ families, wishes injured recovery
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned the suicide bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, expressing solidarity with Pakistan after the attack killed and injured dozens on the outskirts of the capital.
The blast, which struck during Friday prayers, killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 160 others, according to Pakistani authorities.
In a statement issued by its foreign ministry, Saudi Arabia denounced the targeting of a place of worship and rejected all forms of violence and extremism.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad,” the statement said.
It added that the Kingdom stood firmly against attacks on civilians and places of worship and reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in confronting militant violence.
The ministry also extended condolences to the families of those killed and expressed sympathy with the Pakistani government and people, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which Pakistani officials say is being investigated.
