'Pakistan to continue cooperation in safeguarding territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia'

Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has affirmed that Pakistan will "continue all possible cooperation in safeguarding the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia", Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.

During a telephonic conversation with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, Qureshi "strongly condemned the recent missile attacks by militias on Saudi defence installations and expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and people on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan", said the national broadcaster.

Both sides agreed to continue their mutual consultation on important regional and bilateral issues including the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The foreign minister inquired about the health of King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and prayed for his speedy recovery after a successful surgery.

Apprising Price Al Saud about the effective measures taken by Pakistan to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, including Prime Minister Imran Khan's "smart lockdown" policy, the foreign minister said that the strategy has not only reduced the spread of the disease but has also significantly declined the virus fatality rate in the country.

In response, the Saudi foreign minister said that the coronavirus situation in Saudi Arabia is also improving.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.