ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday condemned the attack on Robert Fico, his Slovakian counterpart who was shot multiple times while coming out of a government meeting, saying he was praying for the leader of the central European state.
Fico was rushed to a hospital after the gun attack on Wednesday where he fought for his life in what was described by his administration as a “political assault.”
Speaking to the media after Fico’s surgery, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba said the medical procedure had gone well and the 59-year-old Slovakian leader was expected to survive the assassination attempt.
“Strongly condemn shocking attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,” the Pakistani PM said in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers with him and his family. Wish him quick recovery and good health.”
“We stand by government and people of Slovak Republic in these critical moments,” he added.
Fico’s party won the last general election in the European state held in September 2023.
The Slovak leader is a four-time prime minister and political veteran who has been criticized by his rivals for swaying his country’s foreign policy in Russia’s favor.
The gun attack was described as unprecedented, with analysts pointing out there had been no such previous incident reported against any minister or prime minister in Slovakia.
Pakistan PM condemns gun attack on Slovakian counterpart, offers prayers for recovery
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Pakistan PM condemns gun attack on Slovakian counterpart, offers prayers for recovery
- Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times while coming out of a government meeting on Wednesday
- The attack was described as unprecedented in a country where no such previous incident has been reported
Pakistan FM discusses developments in Asia, Middle East with Bangladeshi, Malaysian counterparts
- Ishaq Dar speaks to foreign ministers of both countries amid tensions in Yemen, strained ties between Delhi, Dhaka
- Dar reaffirms commitment to enhance cooperation with Bangladesh, Malaysia in telephone call with both counterparts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed evolving developments in the Asia and Middle East regions with his counterparts from Bangladesh and Malaysia, the foreign office said on Sunday, reaffirming Islamabad’s resolve to enhance cooperation with both states.
Tensions escalated in Yemen this week after a Saudi-led coalition carried out a “limited” airstrike targeting weapons shipments from the UAE to the port city of Mukalla in southern Yemen.
The coalition forces spokesperson said the weapons were meant to support the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, backed by the UAE, in Yemen’s Hadramaut and Al-Mahra “with the aim of fueling the conflict.”
Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and called on regional powers to resolve tensions with dialogue and diplomacy.
“DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with FM of Malaysia, Mohamad bin Hajji Hasan,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“They also exchanged views on recent regional developments, including the evolving situation in Asia and the Middle East.”
In a separate statement, the foreign office said Dar held a telephonic conversation with Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain.
The two leaders also discussed developments in the Middle East and Asia, agreeing to remain in close contact.
“The two leaders reviewed Pakistan–Bangladesh relations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors,” the statement said.
The developments also take place in light of Bangladesh’s rising political tensions with Pakistan’s arch-rival India.
Tensions between the two countries have surged in recent weeks after a 25-year-old Hindu man was lynched and burned publicly in Bangladesh following allegations of blasphemy. India’s foreign ministry last month condemned what it called “unremitting hostility against minorities” in Bangladesh.
A few days later, Hindutva activists tried to storm the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, rallying against the neighboring nation for what they said was Dhaka’s failure to protect its Hindu minorities.
Ties between Dhaka and New Delhi have remained strained ever since the ouster of former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024, when she fled to India after her ouster in violent protests in the country.
India has so far not accepted Bangladesh’s request to extradite Hasina, further stoking tensions between the countries.
