ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly appointed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest, the interior ministry said, in what was Naqvi’s first foreign interaction since assuming charge of office.
Naqvi, who was sworn in this week as a member of the federal cabinet, assumed charge as the country’s interior minister on Wednesday. He previously served as the caretaker chief minister of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province from Jan. 2023 to Feb. 2024 and is currently the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Malki met Naqvi at the Diplomatic Enclave in Islamabad during which the Saudi ambassador congratulated him on assuming charge of his office, Pakistan’s interior ministry said.
“During the meeting matters of mutual interest, promoting bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation in various fields were discussed,” the ministry said.
Naqvi thanked the Saudi envoy for cooperating with the Punjab government during his tenure.
“Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan in every trial,” Naqvi said, according to the ministry. “Saudi Arabia is like a second home for Pakistanis.”
The minister credited Malki for playing an “exemplary role” in strengthening Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia.
“All of us are proud of our historic friendship with Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade and defense relations. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top destination for remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Pakistan interior minister meets Saudi envoy in first foreign interaction since taking office
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Pakistan interior minister meets Saudi envoy in first foreign interaction since taking office
- Both discussed matters of mutual interest, enhancing cooperation says interior ministry
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi credits Saudi Arabia for supporting Pakistan in difficult times
Security forces kill four militants in Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan
- The operation was conducted in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on reports about militant presence
- It comes days after militants rammed an explosive-laden car into a Pakistani checkpost, killing 11 security personnel
KARACHI: Pakistani security forces have killed four Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in an operation in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province that border Afghanistan, the Pakistani military said late Thursday.
The operation was conducted in KP’s Lakki Marwat district on reports about militant presence, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
Weapons and ammunition were seized from the deceased militants who remained actively involved in numerous militant activities in the area.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharja (militant) found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
New Delhi did not immediately respond to the statement.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP, where militant groups, particularly the TTP, have frequently targeted security forces, law enforcers and government officials in recent years.
Earlier this week, Pakistani Taliban militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the wall of a checkpost manned jointly by security forces and law enforcement agencies in KP’s Bajaur district, killing 11 security personnel among 12 people, the Pakistani military’s media wing said.
It added that 12 militants were also gunned down in an exchange of fire with security forces.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil and India of backing militant groups for cross-border attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny this.
Earlier on Thursday, Islamabad also issued a demarche to the Afghan deputy head of mission for the “terrorist” attack that killed 12 people, including 11 security personnel, Pakistan’s foreign office said.
