Pakistan PM discusses regional tensions in call with Saudi crown prince

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, assuring Riyadh of Islamabad’s full support and pledging that Pakistan will stand firmly by the kingdom against repeated Iranian actions affecting its security and sovereignty, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Wednesday.

According to SPA, the leaders discussed the latest regional developments, the potential repercussions of ongoing military escalations on regional and global stability and collaborative efforts to manage the crisis.

The call follows Sharif’s official visit to Saudi Arabia on March 12, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as clashes linked to a broader U.S.-Iran-Israel confrontation continue to shake the region.

In a post on X, Sharif said he reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering solidarity and support for the Kingdom during these challenging times.

“Appreciating the Kingdom’s restraint, I stressed the urgent need for de-escalation, an end to hostilities, and unity in the ranks of the Ummah. I also briefed His Royal Highness on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach efforts for regional peace and stability. We agreed to remain in close coordination,” he added.

The conflict escalated on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on multiple targets in Iran, prompting Iranian missile and drone reprisals across the Gulf and drawing in allied states.

Sharif’s visit, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focused on discussions over the escalating regional security situation, the Prime Minister’s Office said. The trip followed a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Saudi Arabia on March 7, where he met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss Iranian missile and drone attacks on the kingdom and measures to address escalating regional threats.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close defense and security ties, encompassing military cooperation and economic support. Riyadh has historically been a major provider of financial assistance and energy supplies to Islamabad.

In September last year, Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic mutual defense agreement, pledging that an attack on either country would be considered aggression against both, underscoring the depth of the two nations’ security partnership.