ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over an attempted missile attack on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while speaking to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan over the phone.
The UAE shot down the ballistic missile launched by Yemen-based Houthi rebels on Monday while Israel’s president was visiting the Gulf state. Nobody was hurt in the attack on the wealthy Middle Eastern nation which was launched during the early hours of the day.
Last month on January 17, three workers of oil giant ADNOC were killed in a similar attack on Abu Dhabi that also damaged a construction site at the airport.
In his phone call to the crown prince, the Pakistani prime minister commended UAE’s timely and effective air defense response that saved valuable lives.
“The Prime Minister expressed abiding solidarity with the leadership, government and the people of the UAE,” said an official statement circulated by the PM Office in Islamabad. “He expressed deep concern at the recent escalation in attacks that have seriously threatened regional peace and security.”
The Pakistani premier reaffirmed Islamabad’s abiding support for efforts to protect and promote regional peace and security through dialogue and diplomacy.
“The two leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest,” the statement continued, adding that they “agreed to continue regular and close consultations at the highest level.”
