Saudi Minister of the State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir stressed on Monday the depth of the Saudi-Pakistani relations, for the past 70 years, while accusing Iran of being a safe haven for terrorists.
During a joint press conference in Islamabad with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Jubeir said their two countries cooperate together and seek to overcome problems in the region, adding that there is a common desire to consolidate and expand these historic relations.
He pointed out that the “fruitful” meetings held between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan covered many issues during his two-day visit to Islamabad that he concluded Monday.
The two countries co-signed agreements and memoranda of understanding that would contribute to the investment of about $20 billion in Pakistan in various fields.
Jubeir stressed the importance of strengthening business ties between their countries in order to open wider horizons for furthering cooperation, pointing out to a formation of the Saudi-Pakistani Coordination Council.
He confirmed that the Kingdom and Pakistan face several challenges, which can only be overcome through joint cooperation, combating terrorism and supporting regional security and stability.
He also emphasized that terrorism is a common enemy and that Pakistan, the Kingdom and the United States are working together to combat that danger.
Iran, he said, is the "haven of terrorists" and the last country that can accuse others of terrorism.
Moreover, Jubeir revealed that Riyadh is working with Islamabad to reach a settlement between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
He also expressed surprise at Iran's accusation that Pakistan was behind last week’s attack on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in the Iranian city of Zahedan.
“Such accusations are surprising by Iran, which has long fueled terrorism and practiced it in other countries, such as Yemen and Syria," Jubeir underscored, accusing Tehran of harboring al-Qaeda operatives.
