‘People of Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia’, Imran Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya has said that the people of Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia if anything happens to them, but the country wants to play a uniting role in the region.

The people of Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia if anything happens to them, but the country wants to play a uniting role in the region, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya. #CrownPrinceinPakistanhttps://t.co/BsjoVEldTv pic.twitter.com/twAnSTHTRY

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 17, 2019

Pakistani PM has also condemned the “divisions” and “devastation” in the Muslim world, as he said that more conflict should be avoided and that Pakistan can play a role in this regard because it has “one of the best militaries and is a nuclear-armed country.”

“We want to play a role with Saudi Arabia of putting out fires in the Muslim world, getting countries together,” Khan said.

“Saudi Arabia, with Mecca and Madinah there, I can assure you that- forget our military- the people of Pakistan want to defend Saudi Arabia if anything happens to them so you can rest assured. But you see for Pakistan, the role we want to play now is that we want to play the role of a country that brings other countries together”, said Imran Khan

“We would like to play a role with Saudi Arabia of putting out fires in the Muslim world, getting countries together,” he further added.

Imran Khan has also urged for more trade between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, reaffirming that as strong trading partners, which would benefit both the countries.

“I think Saudi Arabia and Pakistan need to look beyond the relationship they had in the past. We trade, we invest with each other, we do joint ventures and I think it will raise the standard of living in both countries”, he further added.

PM Imran Khan also addressed the importance of China in trade relations, as he spoke about the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, that is planning to set up special economic zones, which is where “Saudi Arabia stands to benefit.”

“Then it will have access to China, benefitting from the special economic zones with special benefits,” he said.

Pakistani PM has also hailed reforms initiated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stressing that Pakistan wants a “strong and reformed” Saudi Arabia.

“Prince Mohammed is trying to modernize Saudi Arabia (with) much-needed reforms… I think it is very impressive, we wish him all the luck because we want Saudi Arabia to get stronger,” said Imran Khan.

He also added that a reformed Saudi Arabia, with its universities, colleges, and youth can “compete with the world in the 21st century.”