PM vows to crush any attempt to harm Pak-Saudi relation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the Pakistani nation will crush those forces who will attempt to create a wedge between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of restoration of the Kachhi Canal at Taunsa on Friday, he said that Saudi Arabia has always extended its diplomatic and financial support to Pakistan, but what an irony it is that some elements spit venom about such a great friend for short-term political gains.

The premier’s statement follows a claim by former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, who alleged that Saudi Arabia played a role in toppling the government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The prime minister called for forging unity to foil nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan. He said the people of Pakistan will not allow anyone to harm Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations, Radio Pakistan reported.

Regarding the restoration of the Kachhi Canal, Shehbaz Sharif said this project will revive the command area of the canal.

Responding to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti’s point, he assured that all possible efforts will be made to complete the second phase of the Kachhi Canal.

The Prime Minister also commended the provincial governments of Punjab and Balochistan for their cooperation in completing the restoration work.

In a video statement shared on PTI’s ‘X’ handle, Bushra Bibi accused Saudi Arabia of playing a role in the ouster of the Imran Khan-led government in 2022. 

Bushra alleged that when the former prime minister went to Madina “barefoot”, the then-army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa started receiving “their calls”.

She claimed that Bajwa was asked, “Who is this person you have brought with you […] we don’t want such personalities.”

She alleged that after this incident a smear campaign was launched against Imran Khan where he was dubbed as a “Jewish agent”.

However, the former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa refuting all such claims said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed friendly ties during the PTI regime adding that how could a friendly country interfere in the internal matters of Pakistan.