Pakistan seeks Saudi support against drones

[The Northerner]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought Saudi support to build diplomatic pressure on US to stop drone attacks inside Pakistani territories reiterating that these strikes were counter productive in international drive against terrorism.

“Yes, we are seeking support from not only Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also the entire international community to convince US that drone attacks were impeding rather helping the war against terrorism,” said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar answering a question after media briefing on her last visit to the Kingdom. She referred to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani’s recent statement in this regard wherein Pakistan has sought diplomatic support from world capitals to convince US to stop predators’ hitting civilians while targeting militants.

She claimed that her visit had restored the mutual trust and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were on the same page in dealing with the issue of Afghanistan and international counter terror drive.

Backing her claim of restoring traditionally cordial ties with the Saudis, the Minister of State said that KSA has understood Pakistan’s challenges with energy crisis on top of them and has offered to finance hydropower projects chiefly Diamer-Bhasha Dam. “No only the government of KSA would support Hydropower development in Pakistan but it would also encourage other development and private funds to join hands in consortia to finance cheapest power generation here,” she said in her off the cuff opening remarks.

Source: http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=178413